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Cracking May 7, 2024 NYT Connections: A Walk‑Through, Hint Ladder, and Full Solution

Posted on May 7, 2024 — by Staff Writer

Time to Solve:6
Word Count:~218 words

Ah, the thrill of the deli! Today’s Connections puzzle is a veritable smorgasbord of categories, from the tasty ‘BUN’ to the cheeky ‘KISSER.’ Who knew solving could whet your appetite? As you navigate through the bread options, slang for mouth, and rhythmic moves, keep your eyes peeled for those sneaky, circular ‘ROUND OF ___’ entries that may just throw you for a loop. Ready to slice through this puzzle? Let’s dig in!


What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is The New York Times' daily word-association puzzle that challenges you to group 16 seemingly random words into four hidden categories. Each set of Connections answers is unique, ranging from pop-culture references to tricky linguistic twists, making it a fresh brain-teaser every day. Whether you're hunting for subtle hints, full solutions, or an archive of past puzzles, our site delivers everything you need to conquer today's NYT Connections and sharpen your puzzle-solving skills.


Today's Grid

BUN
HERO
ROLL
WRAP
CHOPS
KISSER
TRAP
YAP
BOB
CLAP
SNAP
TAP
APPLAUSE
DRINKS
FUNDING
GOLF

Remember: the NYT shuffles the tiles each time you open the puzzle, so your on‑screen layout might differ. The words themselves, however, are identical.


🪜 Hint Ladder

Choose the lightest nudge you need—each door opens to a bigger clue.


🎉 Full Solution (Spoilers Ahead!) 🎉

Nailed it in four? 🎯 Gold star! Needed a few swings first? You're in fine company—the purple decoys were downright devious today.


Strategy Spotlight: How to Approach This Puzzle

In this puzzle, solvers often get stuck on distinguishing between the groups due to the presence of plausible decoys that can easily confuse them. For instance, the words "BUN" and "ROLL" might lead some players to associate them with the concept of food or bakery items, but they actually belong to the category of deli bread options. Similarly, the terms "KISSER" and "TRAP" can mislead solvers into thinking they fit into a different category, as they have more abstract meanings compared to the other slang terms for mouth. This confusion arises because players may not be fully aware of the specific contexts these words are commonly used in, leading to incorrect groupings.

To effectively distinguish the real groups from the decoys, solvers should focus on the thematic consistency of the words. For example, all options in the yellow category relate directly to types of bread used in deli sandwiches, which is a clear and specific theme. In contrast, the green category is centered around slang terms for mouth, which can be more abstract but still follows a clear linguistic theme. By identifying the primary context or theme of each word, players can better categorize them and avoid common pitfalls.

One useful heuristic for future puzzles is to look for shared characteristics that define each group. For example, identifying the function or common usage of the words (like food-related terms or slang) can help in grouping them correctly. Additionally, players should keep an eye out for words that may seem to fit multiple categories but ultimately have a stronger association with one theme. By practicing this method of thematic identification and context awareness, solvers can enhance their grouping skills in future puzzles.


Final Thoughts

With a delightful mix of food and fun, today’s puzzle had us bouncing from bites to beats. That purple category was a cheeky little challenge, wasn’t it? Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for more wordplay wizardry!

Happy connecting, and see you in the squares!