Hints
Today’s NYT Connections Puzzle comes with a theme that can certainly present a challenge for puzzle enthusiasts. The overarching theme, “Boo-o-o-o-ring,” conjures thoughts of dullness and monotony. To help you navigate this tricky puzzle, try to keep in mind words associated with things that are less than exciting.
To unlock hints in the game, focus on finding any four-letter or longer words. Every time you discover three such words, a theme word will be revealed. Here are some words you might consider while playing:
HIND, DATE, DRUM, MOST, CHIN, PAIN, RAIN, NOSE, TOME, TOMES.
These words are a great starting point for uncovering the theme and can lead you to a smoother puzzle-solving experience.
Answers
When it comes to the answers for today’s Strands puzzle, you’re aiming to connect all the words that fit under the theme. While the total number of answers can vary, here are the non-spangram answers:
DULL, DREARY, HUMDRUM, MUNDANE, TIRESOME.
The pièce de résistance of today’s puzzle is the spangram: WATCHINGPAINTDRY. To find this elusive phrase, start with the W located three letters up from the bottom on the far-left row, then snake your way across and down.
As the community engages with today’s puzzle, reactions are sure to flow from those who relish a good brain teaser. Many will appreciate the cleverness of the wordplay, albeit perhaps not with the same enthusiasm for the theme’s inherent dullness. Happy puzzling!