NYT Connections: clues and solutions for Tuesday, May 6

      Connections is regarded as one of the top puzzle games from the New York Times. The objective of the game is to categorize 16 words into four hidden groups by determining how the words are connected. The puzzle refreshes each night at midnight, with each new version presenting different levels of difficulty. Similar to Wordle, you can track your winning streak and compare your results with friends.

      Some days are more challenging than others, much like other popular NYT games such as The Mini and Strands. If you're struggling with today’s puzzle, refer to our Connections tips and tricks guide for effective strategies, or check the hints for today’s Connections puzzle below. If you still need help, we will provide the answers at the end.

      How to play Connections

      Connections is a daily game focused on identifying common themes among words. Players need to select four groups of four words, making no more than three mistakes. Play now. https://t.co/YITfSnqODb pic.twitter.com/CqObVOqeUs

      — The New York Times (@nytimes) November 3, 2024

      You can play Connections either on the New York Times website or via the NYT Games app available on iOS or Android.

      In Connections, you’ll see a grid with 16 words, and your goal is to arrange these words into four sets of four by recognizing the links between them. These sets may include themes such as video game franchise titles, book series continuations, shades of red, names of chain restaurants, and so forth.

      Some words may appear to fit multiple categories, but there is only one entirely correct solution. You can shuffle the grid and rearrange the words to help clarify the potential connections.

      Each group is color-coded; the yellow group is the easiest to identify, followed by green, blue, and purple.

      Select four words and click Submit. If correct, the four words will be removed from the grid and the linking theme will be shown. An incorrect guess counts as a mistake, and you have a limit of four mistakes before the game ends.

      Hints for today’s Connections

      We can assist you in solving today’s Connection by revealing the four themes. If you need further help, we’ll also provide one word from each group below.

      Today’s themes

      SILENCE

      TENNIS COMPETITION UNITS

      COMPARATIVELY SMALL

      STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR “TEASE”

      One-answer reveals

      SILENCE – CALM

      TENNIS COMPETITION UNITS – GAME

      COMPARATIVELY SMALL – BABY

      STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR “TEASE” – KIDNEY

      New York Times

      Today’s Connections answers

      Still not able to solve it? That’s alright. This puzzle is meant to be challenging. If you simply want to know today’s Connections answer, here it is:

      SILENCE – CALM, HUSH, PEACE, STILL

      TENNIS COMPETITION UNITS – GAME, MATCH, SET, TOURNAMENT

      COMPARATIVELY SMALL – BABY, COMPACT, MINUTE, TOY

      STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR “TEASE” – KIDNEY, MOCKINGBIRD, TAZZMATAZZ, RIBBON

      Connections grids differ significantly and change each day. If you couldn’t complete today’s puzzle, make sure to check back tomorrow.

      NYT Connection FAQs

      What time does the Connections puzzle change?

      The puzzle updates daily at midnight local time.

      Who edits the NYT Connections game?

      Wyna Liu, who has been editing puzzles at The New York Times since 2020, is responsible for the daily editing of Connections.

      “A few months ago, a new task came my way: Create the game boards for Connections, a category-matching game that had recently received approval and needed an editor,” Liu wrote in an article outlining her process in June 2024. “Most of my experience has been with crosswords, so I was eager to try something different. I’ve enjoyed learning how puzzle editing unfolds once a game is approved, and seeing how our team fits into the broader ecosystem.”

      On the one-year anniversary of Connections' launch earlier this year, Liu shared this TikTok showcasing her favorite puzzles to date:

      @thegamesteam ? happy one year anniversary to connections, our newest official NYT game ? #nytgames #nytconnections #nyt ♬ The Kite Live by Luisa Marion – luisa_marion_music