This guide covers the New York Times Connections puzzle published on April 17, 2024—puzzle #311, not the current day’s game. Start with graduated hints below, then open the answer key for all four groups.
Hints for Connections #311
Connections presents 16 words and asks you to sort them into four groups of four. A valid connection must account for the exact four words in a group; a plausible relationship between just two or three words is not enough. The game allows up to four mistakes. For this puzzle, scan the whole board for possible groupings before submitting, since apparent overlaps can lead you toward red herrings.
Gentle nudge
Think about support structures, ways to comply with a rule, portions or shares, and information obtained by spies.
Category hints
- One group contains words for an upright support.
- One group contains verbs meaning to obey or take notice of something.
- One group refers to an allotted portion or stake.
- One group names information collected by spies.
Full answer key for April 17, 2024
Each group below is one of the four intended sets for Connections #311.
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Upright support
COLUMN, PILLAR, POLE, POST
Heed, as rules
FOLLOW, MIND, OBSERVE, REGARD
Allotment
INTEREST, PERCENTAGE, SHARE, STAKE
Gathered by spies
DIRT, INFORMATION, INTELLIGENCE, SECRETS
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to approach a Connections board
Look for a possible connection shared by two or three words, then search the remaining words for a fourth that makes the category precise. Before submitting, check that all four fit the same idea and that none belongs more naturally in another set. Connections may use wordplay as well as direct meanings, and words that seem related can be split across different groups.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
Rank #3
Rank #2
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