In this puzzle, solvers may find themselves stuck when trying to categorize the words based on their meanings, particularly with the purple group, 'SPACE ___'. Words like 'BAR' and 'STATION' can be misleading because they have multiple contexts. For example, 'BAR' could refer to a physical bar in space or a legal term, and 'STATION' could refer to a space station or a train station. This ambiguity can confuse players who are trying to fit them into a specific category, leading to incorrect groupings. Additionally, the blue group, 'UNIVERSAL', might cause confusion as words like 'BROAD' and 'SWEEPING' can also be interpreted in various ways, making it hard to see their common thread without a clear definition of 'universal'.

To effectively distinguish the true groups from plausible decoys, players should focus on the core meanings of each word. For instance, in the yellow group, all words relate to eating in a voracious manner, which is a clear and specific action. In contrast, the words in the blue group are more abstract and describe a quality rather than a specific action or subject. Players should look for strong thematic connections; if words can be linked by a single, clear concept, they likely belong together. When dealing with the purple group, considering common phrases or terms can help; for example, 'SPACE STATION' is a well-known term that can help anchor the other words in that category.

One heuristic to apply in future puzzles is to look for shared actions or characteristics that are clearly defined. If you can narrow down a group of words to a specific action or quality that they all represent, it can often lead to the correct grouping. Another helpful strategy is to be wary of words that have multiple meanings or uses; if a word can fit into several categories, it might be a decoy rather than a true member of the group. This approach can save time and reduce frustration when trying to solve complex word associations.