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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The December 15, 2024, NYT Connections puzzle is game #553—not #552. Below are progressive hints and the answer groups for #553. If you came looking for #552, that was the December 14 puzzle and has a different set of answers.
First, check the date and puzzle number
The date and number in the original title point to two different boards. TechRadar identifies game #552 as Saturday, December 14, 2024; Parade identifies Sunday, December 15, 2024 as game #553. This guide follows the December 15 date and gives the #553 answers.
Hints for Connections #553
Connections gives you 16 words to sort into four groups of four. Each group shares a theme. The colors mark difficulty, from yellow as the easiest category to purple as the trickiest; words may seem to fit more than one group. The New York Times describes the game as one that “challenges players to find themes between words” in its Connections help page.
Try the clues in order and stop when you have enough to solve a group.
- Yellow: Think of ingredients used to add flavor.
- Green: These are ways to do badly or fail to impress.
- Blue: These verbs describe moving through a book or magazine quickly.
- Purple: Each answer is a pop singer’s name with the letter “S” removed.
Category labels for #553
- Yellow: Spices
- Green: Perform poorly
- Blue: Skim through, as pages
- Purple: Pop singers minus “S”
Answers for December 15, 2024 (#553)
Spoilers below. The four solved groups are:
- Yellow — Spices: CLOVE, MACE, NUTMEG, PEPPER
- Green — Perform poorly: FLAIL, FLOP, FLOUNDER, TANK
- Blue — Skim through, as pages: FLIP, LEAF, RIFFLE, THUMB
- Purple — Pop singers minus “S”: KEY, MAR, SPEAR, STYLE
Where to play and find older puzzles
The New York Times says its daily Connections game releases at midnight in the player’s timezone and is available through its Games app and website. Its archive reaches back to June 12, 2023, and is available to All Access and Games subscribers. Archive games affect the listed statistics but do not count toward current or maximum streaks. Check the NYT help page for current access details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If you meant game #552
The December 14 puzzle (#552) had different categories and answers. TechRadar lists its themes as fish, words in an auction-ending phrase, global currencies, and words before “cup.”
Rank #2
- Yellow — Fish: FLUKE, MULLET, SOLE, TANG
- Green — Words in an auction-ending phrase: GOING, ONCE, SOLD, TWICE
- Blue — Global currencies: POUND, REAL, SOL, YUAN
- Purple — Words before “cup”: BUTTER, DIVA, SOLO, WORLD
For the original #552 guide, see TechRadar’s December 14, 2024, coverage.
Quick Recap
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