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Need help with NYT Connections #553? This archive puzzle is from Sunday, December 15, 2024. Start with the graduated clues below and stop before the answer section if you want to solve it yourself.
Hints for Connections #553
Use these in order: each clue gives a little more direction without naming a category.
- Think of things added to meals to improve flavor.
- Think of failing or falling short of expectations.
- Think of a quick way to browse pages.
- Think of popular singers whose names can be made by adding a final letter to a puzzle word.
Full word list
The sixteen words are THUMB, KEY, LEAF, STYLE, MACE, MAR, FLAIL, FLIP, SPEAR, CLOVE, TANK, PEPPER, RIFFLE, FLOUNDER, NUTMEG, and FLOP.
Answers for NYT Connections #553
Spoiler warning: The four category names and all answers appear below.
#1 Best Overall
| Category | Words | Why they fit |
|---|---|---|
| SPICES | CLOVE, MACE, NUTMEG, PEPPER | Each is a spice or seasoning. |
| PERFORM POORLY | FLAIL, FLOP, FLOUNDER, TANK | Each can describe failing or doing badly. |
| SKIM THROUGH, AS PAGES | FLIP, LEAF, RIFFLE, THUMB | Each can describe a way to browse pages. |
| POP SINGERS MINUS “S” | KEY, MAR, SPEAR, STYLE | Add a final S to get Alicia Keys, Bruno Mars, Britney Spears, and Harry Styles. |
How Connections works
Connections asks players to select four words that share a category. Forbes’ gameplay guide says a wrong selection costs a life and four mistakes end the game; it also notes that shuffling can help reveal patterns. Its guide describes yellow as usually easiest, purple as usually most difficult, with green and blue between them. Those are general descriptions, not a difficulty rating for this edition. Forbes also says an NYT All Access or Games subscription provides access to the Connections archive; check NYT’s current subscription terms for availability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What makes the last group different
The first three sets rely on meaning: seasonings, ways to perform poorly, and ways to skim pages. The final set is a spelling pattern. Add S to the end of each answer word to form a singer’s name: KEY becomes Keys, MAR becomes Mars, SPEAR becomes Spears, and STYLE becomes Styles.
Quick Recap
Rank #2
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