Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →NYT Connections game #550 is the puzzle dated Thursday, December 12, 2024. Here are four spoiler-light category hints first; the complete groups and tiles are below a clear spoiler warning.
Hints for Connections #550
Try these category clues before looking at the answers. They name each group’s idea without revealing its tiles.
- Yellow: Sounds like the letter “T.”
- Green: Objects with teeth.
- Blue: Mild oaths.
- Purple: Parts of a river.
Connections asks players to sort 16 words into four groups of four that share a common link. The New York Times Help Center describes the mechanic this way: “Players are given 16 words and must find groups of four items that share something in common.” The color levels range from yellow, the easiest, to purple, the trickiest. Some words may seem to fit more than one category, so consider the intended connection as well as the individual meanings.
Spoilers: full answers for December 12
Warning: the complete solution is below.
| Color | Category | Words |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Things that sound like “T” | TEA, TEE (golf), TEE (shirt), TI (musical note) |
| Green | Objects with teeth | COMB, GEAR, SAW, ZIPPER |
| Blue | Mild oaths | FUDGE, GEEZ, NUTS, RATS |
| Purple | Parts of a river | BANK, BED, DELTA, MOUTH |
The tile order on your board may differ from a published list; order does not determine the categories. One displayed order for the 16 tiles is DELTA, TEE (golf), ZIPPER, BANK, SAW, TEE (shirt), FUDGE, NUTS, GEAR, RATS, BED, COMB, GEEZ, MOUTH, TEA, TI (musical note).
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11#1 Best Overall
How to play or replay the puzzle
The New York Times Help Center lists the NYT Games app, NYTimes.com, and the News app as places to play Connections. The daily puzzle releases at midnight in the player’s time zone. According to the Help Center, the archive reaches back to June 12, 2023, and archive play is available to All Access and Games subscribers. Availability and access terms are subject to the Times’ current help information.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
