Today's New York Times Crossword Puzzle Clues and Solutions for Sunday, September 8, 2024 (Alternate Version)
If you're seeking the responses for the "Connections" challenge on September 8, 2024, continue reading. I'll provide some hints, tips, and the solutions for all four categories. Along the journey, I'll clarify any tricky terms and demonstrate how every aspect fits together. Note that below lies spoilers for the September 8, 2024, Connections #455. Proceed with caution if you'd like a few hints (and the solutions) for today's Connections game.
If you desire an effortless way to revisit these Connections tips daily, consider bookmarking this page. You can also retrieve our past hints here, should you wish to recollect missed clues from earlier puzzles.
In the section below, I'll offer oblique hints for today's Connections answers. Later, the themes and responses will be revealed. Move slowly and only claim the hints you require!
Hints for the themes in today's Connections puzzle
Here are some spoiler-free hints for the groupings in today's Connections:
- Yellow category - Prepare a flour-based dessert.
- Green category - A bodily reaction to emotions.
- Blue category - Titles related to religious leadership.
- Purple category - Youthful males.
BEWARE: Spoilers are coming for today's Connections puzzle!
We're about to expose some of the answers. Proceed slowly if you'd prefer not to have everything revealed. (The full solution is farther down.)
A word of caution for the tricky parts
You'll require some awareness of musical groups (and a famous novel series) to decipher the purple category.
BEAT does not imply one's pulse.
POUND and BEAT do not pair well.
What categories make up today's Connections?
- Yellow: VERBS IN A CAKE RECIPE
- Green: PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES
- Blue: SACRED OFFICIALS
- Purple: YOUNG MEN
DOUBLE BEWARE: THE SOLUTION IS BELOW
Prepared to learn the answers for today's Connections puzzle? I will divulge all the answers below.
What are the yellow words in today's Connections?
The yellow category is considered the most straightforward. The theme for today's yellow group is VERBS IN A CAKE RECIPE and the words are: BAKE, BEAT, FROST, PREHEAT.
What are the green words in today's Connections?
The green category is supposed to be the second-easiest. The theme for today's green category is PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES and the words are: POUND, PUMP, RACE, THROB.
What are the blue words in today's Connections?
The blue category is the second-hardest. The theme for today's blue category is SACRED OFFICIALS and the words are: BISHOP, PASTOR, POPE, PRIOR.
What are the purple words in today's Connections?
The purple category is considered the hardest. The theme for today's purple category is YOUNG MEN and the words are: BAD, BEACH, HARDY, PET SHOP.
How I solved today's Connections
The presence of PET SHOP and BEACH instantly makes me contemplate the bands Pet Shop Boys and the Beach Boys, so I have a hunch that other YOUNG MEN may be hidden on the board. Indeed, I found BAD and HARDY. 🟪
POPE resembles it probably fits with BISHOP, PASTOR, and PRIOR, which are all religious titles. 🟦
At first, I think RACE and BEAT might pertain to a running/competition category, but then I discern that the remaining words likely fall into a heartbeat category (PUMP, THROB, RACE, POUND) and a baking category (PREHEAT, FROST, BEAT, BAKE). BEAT could fit into the heartbeat category, but it appears that nothing else can replace it, so let's decide.
First, the heartbeat category: PUMP, THROB, RACE, POUND. 🟩
And now, BEAT, FROST, PREHEAT, BAKE. 🟨
How to play Connections
I have a full guide for playing Connections, but here's a brief overview of the rules:
First, locate the Connections game on the New York Times website or through their Games app (previously known as the Crossword app). You'll see a game board with 16 tiles, each featuring one word or phrase. Your task is to select a set of four tiles with something in common. Often, they are all the same type of thing (for example, RAIN, SLEET, HAIL, and SNOW are all types of wet weather), but sometimes there can be wordplay involved (for example, BUCKET, GUEST, TOP TEN, and WISH are all types of lists: bucket list, guest list, and so on).
Select four items and hit the Submit button. If you guessed correctly, the category and color will be shown. (Yellow is easiest, followed by green, then blue, then purple.) If your guess was incorrect, you'll get another chance to try again.
You've emerged victorious when you've correctly identified all four groups. However, if you make four mistakes before completing your quest, the game ends, and the answers will be displayed.
Understanding how to triumph in Connections requires recognizing that the categorizations are intentionally intricate. You'll often encounter groups overlapping. For instance, a riddle appeared to include six breakfast items: BACON, EGG, PANCAKE, OMELET, WAFFLE, and CEREAL. However, BACON belonged to a group of artists, sharing space with CLOSE, MUNCH, and WHISTLER, while EGG was part of a group of items that arrive in dozen quantities (joined by JUROR, ROSE, and MONTH). Therefore, ensure your selected group of four only contains these specific items before hitting "submit".
If you're having trouble, a different method to consider is focusing on words that seem unrelated to the others. If the only thing popping into your mind when you see WHISTLER is the renowned painting titled "Whistler's Mother," you might be on to something. That was indeed the key during my attempt, leading me to research whether Close was a painter, as Close didn't seem to fit any clear themes at first.
Another tactic to employ when feeling stuck is straightforward–search for helpful hints. This is exactly why we share tips daily. Look forward to the next puzzle solution tomorrow!
If you're a fan of the New York Times' Connections puzzle and are in need of some help today, this article might provide some valuable insights. I've included clues related to the yellow, green, and blue categories, which are: 'VERBS IN A CAKE RECIPE', 'PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES', and 'SACRED OFFICIALS'. However, I regret to inform you that I don't seem to have any relevant information regarding the 'entertainment' or 'connections' aspects to assist you directly.
Reading further in this article, you'll find hints for the themes in today's Connections: yellow category is 'VERBS IN A CAKE RECIPE' with words including 'BAKE', 'BEAT', 'FROST', and 'PREHEAT'; the green category is 'PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES', containing words like 'POUND', 'PUMP', 'RACE', and 'THROB'; the blue category is 'SACRED OFFICIALS' and includes words such as 'BISHOP', 'PASTOR', 'POPE', and 'PRIOR'. It's up to you to unleash your creativity and identify the connections between these words within the given themes. Happy connecting!
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