Hints
Today’s New York Times Connections puzzle features an intriguing blend of categories that promises to challenge even seasoned solvers. While some clues may offer themselves up easily, others require a bit more thought and creativity. Let’s dive in to give you some helpful hints without revealing too much!
You might want to think about themes that pair well together. Consider groupings you commonly encounter in word puzzles. When looking at your possible answers, try associating words with their definitions or possible synonyms. This could guide you toward the correct connections.
For instance, if you stumble upon a clue that suggests something related to literature, think about popular book characters or settings. Similarly, if you see anything tied to nature or animals, remember classic motifs often used in puzzles. Each hint you unravel will inch you closer to the solution!
Answers
Here are today’s full answers for those who want to jump straight to the finish line:
- 1A: JAVA – Coffee, informally … or a big coffee-producing island
- 5A: AXEL – Figure skating jump
- 6A: MIXES – Wide-ranging music playlists
- 8A: NEXT – On deck
- 9A: GDAY – Down Under welcome
- 1D: JAM – Print issue?
- 2D: AXING – Cutting down
- 3D: VEXED – Annoyed
- 4D: ALEXA – Virtual assistant whose name starts with the same letter as its parent company
- 7D: STY – Wilbur’s home in “Charlotte’s Web”
If you’re still getting the hang of puzzle solving, don’t hesitate to take those hints and piece things together slowly. Many solvers find satisfaction in the process of elimination and considering various possibilities, so enjoy the journey as much as the destination!