crack-the-clues-nyt-connections-january-4-recap

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“The New York Times never fails to challenge and entertain with their word game ‘Connections.’ Today, on January 4, 2025, players were met with a particularly tricky puzzle to decipher. But fear not, as we have cracked the clues and have the final answer to share!

How to Play ‘Connections’
In this popular game, players are presented with a grid containing 16 words that they must group into four related categories. The difficulty of each category is denoted by colors – yellow, green, blue, and purple. Yellow being the easiest and purple the most challenging. Once players have selected four words for each group, they submit their choices, and if correct, the category will change to the respective color.

‘Connections’ January 4 Hints
For those attempting to crack the puzzle on Saturday, here are the hints to guide you along the way:

– Ways to crush something into a smaller shape.
– Items that help keep things in place.
– Ways to show something is done or resolved.
– Objects and symbols found in Dali’s surreal painting.

Insight from the ‘Connections’ Editor
Wyna Liu, the mastermind behind the ‘Connections’ game, understands the frustration players may face when struggling to solve a puzzle. In a conversation with Slate in July 2024, Liu shared her creative process for developing each game board. She explained how she starts with a seed idea, spins off words, and lets the categories evolve organically, leading to surprising directions.

The Revealed Answer
And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for – the answer to today’s ‘Connections’ game:

– Crush Into a Compact Shape: BALL, CRUMPLE, SCRUNCH, WAD
– Fasteners: BUCKLE, CLIP, HOOK, SNAP
– Mark as Completed: CHECK, CROSS, STRIKE, TICK
– Depictions in Dali’s ‘The Persistence of Memory’: ANT, BRANCH, CLOCK, MELTING

So, there you have it! Another challenging puzzle conquered. Stay tuned for more mind-bending word games from The New York Times!”