If you’re seeking the solutions for the Connections game on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, you’re in the right place. This article will provide useful clues, tips, tactics, and finally, the answers to all four categories. We will also explore the definitions of some complex words along the way. Warning: Spoilers for NYT Connections #590 are included below! Continue reading for hints before revealing today’s Connections answers.

For daily hints regarding the Connections game, consider bookmarking this page. You’ll also find previous hints available for review in case you missed any earlier puzzles.

Below, you will find some cryptic clues related to today’s Connections answers. As you scroll down, you can find the themes and the exact answers. Take your time and only grab the hints you need!

Credit: Connections/NYT

Clues for Today’s Connections Themes

Here are some hints without revealing too much regarding the classifications for today’s Connections:

• Yellow Group – Words associated with insults.

• Green Group – Tiny items that may be scaled down.

• Blue Group – Activities applied to your driveway during winter.

• Purple Group – Characters all holding the same academic title, all of whom possess PhDs.

Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Today’s Puzzle!

The following section will disclose some answers. Proceed cautiously if you wish to avoid complete spoilers. (Full solutions are provided a bit further down.)

Be Cautious with the Challenging Words

Keep in mind that SALT and PEPPER are not paired (in this case, PEPPER relates to a beverage).

DIG and SHOVEL are not a matched set either.

A BARB typically implies emotional hurt rather than physical injury.

Categories for Today’s Connections

• Yellow: INSULTS

• Green: SMALL SIZE

• Blue: SNOW REMOVAL TOOLS

• Purple: PHYSICIANS IN MEDIA

Caution: The Solutions Are Below

Ready to discover the answers to today’s puzzle? Here they are!

Answers for the Yellow Group

The yellow classification is deemed the most straightforward. The theme is INSULTS, and the terms are: BARB, CRACK, DIG, SLIGHT.

Answers for the Green Group

The green classification is considered the second simplest. The theme focuses on SMALL SIZE, with the words being: DOLL, FIGURE, MINIATURE, MODEL.

Answers for the Blue Group

The blue classification carries a moderate level of difficulty. The theme pertains to SNOW REMOVAL TOOLS, with the words: PLOW, SALT, SAND, SHOVEL.

Answers for the Purple Group

The purple category is regarded as the most challenging. The theme is PHYSICIANS IN MEDIA, and the words consist of: NO, OCTOPUS, PEPPER, WHO.

Breaking Down Today’s Connections

The combination of SALT and PEPPER at first seems plausible. However, the word NO combined with OCTOPUS led to thoughts of classic Bond antagonists—Dr. NO and Octopussy. Upon reassessment, it became clear that all relate to fictional doctors: Dr. NO, Dr. OCTOPUS (from Spider-Man comics), Dr. PEPPER (a soft drink), and Dr. WHO (the beloved television character).

The terms DOLL, MINIATURE, MODEL, and FIGURE all describe small representations.

In the blue category, the terms SALT, SHOVEL, SAND, and PLOW relate to actions necessary for snowfall management.

Lastly, SLIGHT, BARB, DIG, and CRACK embody a collection of subtle offensive remarks. Overall, a productive puzzle day!

Connections
Puzzle #590




        

Understanding How to Play Connections

For an extensive guide, refer to an existing Connections tutorial. Here are the basics:

Firstly, find the Connections game either on the New York Times website or via their Games app (previously known as the Crossword app). You’ll encounter a game board containing 16 tiles, each showcasing a word or phrase. Your objective is to select four that share a common link. Often, these will belong to the same category (like RAIN, SLEET, HAIL, and SNOW, which are all forms of precipitation), but wordplay may be involved as well (for instance, items like BUCKET, GUEST, TOP TEN, and WISH relate to different kinds of lists: bucket list, guest list, etc.).

Choose your four terms and click the Submit button. If correct, the connection and its categorical color will appear (Yellow is the easiest, followed by green, then blue, with purple being the hardest). If mistaken, you’ll have another chance.

Successfully identify all four groups to win. However, if you make four errors before finishing, the game will conclude and the answers will be disclosed.

Tips for Winning Connections

The key to excelling in Connections is recognizing that the categories are intentionally challenging. Be prepared for intersecting groups. For example, a previous puzzle included six breakfast items: BACON, EGG, PANCAKE, OMELET, WAFFLE, and CEREAL. Yet, BACON fit into a category relating to famous painters alongside CLOSE, MUNCH, and WHISTLER, while EGG belonged in a cluster of items that typically come by the dozen (along with JUROR, ROSE, and MONTH). Therefore, take your time and ensure your group of four is entirely accurate before pressing submit.

When facing difficulty, another method is to focus on the words that seem least connected to others. For instance, if WHISTLER makes you think solely of the well-known painting “Whistler’s Mother,” you could be on the right track. In a past puzzle, this approach led to discovering an obscure painter named Close, who also didn’t seem to fit any conventional categories.

Additionally, finding hints can provide a helpful boost—hence the daily tips shared. Be sure to check back for future puzzles!