January 17, 2025 Connections Puzzle #586 Hints & Answers

Have you found yourself stumped by today’s Connections puzzle? Fear not! Here are some effective tips and hints designed to help you conquer it. The Connections puzzles can often be tricky, revealing a variety of challenges that require keen observation. Fortunately, today’s puzzle felt rather accessible, and I’m eager to guide you through it so you can experience a smooth solving process as well.

If you’re nostalgic for childhood brain-teasers, check out the NYT’s The Strands puzzle. This enjoyable challenge resembles the word searches you loved in elementary school, albeit with a twist. There’s no provided word list, and letters may appear in any orientation. However, as you discover words within the puzzle, hints will appear to assist you in completing it and earning those valuable points.

Today’s Connections Category Hints

JANUARY 17 #586

The current puzzle is relatively straightforward, drawing on general knowledge. Some categories might present overlaps if you miss crucial details. I made a couple of incorrect guesses myself, so there are definitely some traps to avoid! To steer you clear of mistakes, here are four insightful clues:

Identify four types of food that share the same meat base.
Find four expressions that denote actions typically considered undesirable.
Group four distinct systems that share a common function.
Discover four words ending with a common suffix.

Should these clues leave you craving more guidance, take a look at the gathered category names below:

FRANKFURTER

STRIKE

WEB BROWSERS

ENDING WITH BEER BRANDS

Today’s Connections Answers

JANUARY 17 #586

Yellow Answers: Revealed & Explained

FRANKFURTER
BANGER	BRAT	LINK	SAUSAGE

I grasped this category fairly quickly, influenced by my experiences in areas with a substantial German presence. While these terms signify similar food types, they do have subtle distinctions. Initially, I included PEPPERONI in this mix without noticing LINK, which prompted me to rethink my approach. Ultimately, I confirmed my favorite, the BRAT, as a staple pork delight.

Green Answers: Revealed & Explained

STRIKE
BOP	HIT	KNOCK	TAP

In tackling this category, the action-oriented nature of the words made it apparent that no ambiguity existed. I suspected BANGER could have misled me had I not quickly identified the previous category. With BOP, HIT, KNOCK, and TAP firmly in place, the purpose became clear.

Blue Answers: Revealed & Explained

WEB BROWSERS
CHROME	EDGE	OPERA	SAFARI

Upon reaching this category, I grappled with uncertainty and considered labeling CONTRABASS alongside OPERA. Luckily, the proximity of CHROME and SAFARI prompted insight that led to the final revelation of EDGE and OPERA. This was fortunate because I had only recently learned about OPERA and wouldn’t have identified it earlier.

Purple Answers: Revealed & Explained

ENDING WITH BEER BRANDS
AUTOHARP	CONTRABASS	PEPPERONI	ROSEBUD

This category presented a significant challenge for me. Despite now understanding the context, I still wouldn’t have predicted it. Initially, I considered the length and complexity of the words before identifying the brands involved. Having lived in Milwaukee, where beer culture thrives, I was surprised to recognize so few of these names.

Other Games Like Connections

Game Name	How To Play	Is It Free To Play?
Wordle (NOW)	Solve a random five-letter word using color clues. The daily answers are available in our continuously updated list.	Yes
Worldle	Guess the name of a country based solely on its silhouette and some geographical hints.	Yes
The Password Game	Create a password in this ever-evolving, challenging game. For techniques, refer to our Password Game guide.	Yes
Absurdle	Attempt to solve a Wordle-like challenge with minimal assistance, as the game subtly alters the word based on your guesses.	Yes