Today’s grid leans on betrayal, personal presence, cascading consequences, and common phrases built around a shared word. Some groups are direct synonyms, while one requires thinking in compound phrases.
Play the official puzzle on the New York Times Connections page. Below are hints, categories, and the interactive practice grid.
Hints and Category Explanations
🟨 Yellow – Backstabber
These words describe someone who betrays loyalty or switches sides. Think deception, treachery, and turning against allies.
🟩 Green – Aura
This group focuses on the vibe or presence someone gives off — the intangible sense or quality surrounding a person or situation.
🟦 Blue – Kinds of Chain Reactions
Each word forms a familiar phrase describing a cascading cause-and-effect sequence.
🟪 Purple – ___ Press
All four words can precede “Press” to form common compound terms.
Categories
Yellow: Backstabber
Green: Aura
Blue: Types of chain reaction effects
Purple: ___ Press
One-word anchors
- 🟨 Yellow: JUDAS
- 🟩 Green: AIR
- 🟦 Blue: DOMINO
- 🟪 Purple: BENCH
Practice Mode
Answers
🟨 Yellow – Backstabber
JUDAS, SNAKE, TRAITOR, TURNCOAT
🟩 Green – Aura
AIR, IMPRESSION, MANNER, QUALITY
🟦 Blue – Kinds of Chain Reaction “Effects”
BUTTERFLY, DOMINO, RIPPLE, SNOWBALL
🟪 Purple – ___ Press
BENCH, DRILL, FRENCH, PRINTING
