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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →NYT Connections #556, from December 18, 2024, groups its 16 words into four categories: dealing with something, styles of beer, investment verbs, and words that come before “dome.” Start with the hints below if you want to solve it yourself; the complete categories and tiles are revealed farther down.
Connections asks players to sort 16 words into four groups of four that share a property. Words may seem to fit more than one group, so check each set for one clear connection before submitting it.
Hints for Connections #556
Yellow
These words can describe how you take care of a task or situation.
Green
These are varieties of a popular beverage.
Blue
These words are associated with investing and financial markets.
#1 Best Overall
Purple
Each word can come before the same four-letter word for a rounded roof or ceiling.
Stronger Hints
Need a more direct nudge? The categories are, in order: deal with; styles of beer; investment verbs; and words that precede “dome.”
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Spoiler warning: the complete answers and all 16 tiles are below.
Connections #556 Answers
Yellow — Deal With
FIELD, HANDLE, MANAGE, TACKLE
Each word can mean to take action on or manage a task, issue, or situation.
Green — Styles of Beer
BITTER, BOCK, SOUR, STOUT
These are all styles of beer.
Blue — Investment Verbs
HEDGE, HOLD, SHORT, TRADE
Each word can describe an action or position in investing.
Purple — ___ DOME
CAPITAL, CHROME, ONION, TEAPOT
Add “dome” after each word to make capital dome, chrome dome, onion dome, and teapot dome.
Can You Replay Connections #556?
The New York Times says Connections is available across its platforms, including its website and Games app, with a new daily puzzle released at midnight in the player’s timezone. The NYT Help Center says its archive goes back to June 12, 2023 and is available to All Access and Games subscribers; #556 falls within that date range, though the source does not confirm the individual puzzle’s current replay status.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
What are the answers to NYT Connections #556?
The groups are FIELD, HANDLE, MANAGE, TACKLE; BITTER, BOCK, SOUR, STOUT; HEDGE, HOLD, SHORT, TRADE; and CAPITAL, CHROME, ONION, TEAPOT.
What was the purple category in Connections #556?
The purple category was words that come before “dome”: CAPITAL, CHROME, ONION, and TEAPOT.
Quick Recap
When was Connections #556 published?
It was the Wednesday, December 18, 2024 puzzle.
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