Yellow group
Straightforward
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with H, P, R and S. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
HOE belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
FARM TOOLS
Reveal all four words
- HOE
- PLOW
- RAKE
- SICKLE
A little help. Your own aha.
Connections #188
hints & answers for December 16, 2023
Keep the satisfaction of the solve. Get a nudge for one group, reveal a category, or check the answers at your own pace.
#188
This reference always shows December 16, 2023. It is released in at least one timezone; every answer stays closed until you reveal it.
Which group has you stuck?
Pick a colour. Reveal one step at a time.
1/4
Green group
A little trickier
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with P, P, R and T. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
PLOT belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
SCHEME
Reveal all four words
- PLOT
- PLOY
- RUSE
- TRICK
Blue group
More challenging
Gentle hint
Bring a smile to someone's face.
Show one word
AMUSE belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
MAKE HAPPY
Reveal all four words
- AMUSE
- DELIGHT
- PLEASE
- TICKLE
Purple group
Wordplay & surprises
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with B, P, S and T. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
BANG belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
ONOMATOPOEIA
Reveal all four words
- BANG
- PLOP
- SPLASH
- THUD
Show categories only
- Yellow: FARM TOOLS
- Green: SCHEME
- Blue: MAKE HAPPY
- Purple: ONOMATOPOEIA
Ready for the full solution?
All four categories and their words, together.
Reveal all four answers
Yellow
FARM TOOLS
HOE · PLOW · RAKE · SICKLE
Green
SCHEME
PLOT · PLOY · RUSE · TRICK
Blue
MAKE HAPPY
AMUSE · DELIGHT · PLEASE · TICKLE
Purple
ONOMATOPOEIA
BANG · PLOP · SPLASH · THUD
This puzzle’s recorded solution
The date and puzzle number identify this exact board. Use the individual group controls to compare its recorded categories and words, then return to the archive to find another puzzle.
Continue from this date
About the answers and hints
Categories and answers follow the recorded NYT puzzle. Our hints are independent: some are original category clues, while others give the first letters of the four words. Each hint is labelled so you can choose how much help to take.
Group colours follow the puzzle’s yellow, green, blue and purple order, from the most straightforward to the trickiest. Your own experience may differ. The reference tiles may appear in a different order from your game. Picture puzzles have separately hidden descriptions, since a description can give away the wordplay.
The daily page starts with the UTC puzzle date and, with JavaScript enabled, checks the puzzle for your local time zone. Every reveal starts closed when the date changes. Play Connections at The New York Times or contact us about a correction.