Issue #280 Sun 17 Mar
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — March 17, 2024
Today's grid requires a steady hand to sort through a few layers of overlapping possibilities. Expect a patient morning of untangling.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
A room full of people arguing over something that clearly has no logical conclusion.
Abstract states of mind
Direct synonyms
Members are 5–9 letters; first letters A, F, M, N.
FOOLISHNESS
One is ABSURDITY.
ABSURDITY · FOLLY · MADNESS · NONSENSE
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
The rhythmic cadence of a column of soldiers moving across a parade ground.
Physical movement
Direct synonyms
Members are 4–8 letters; first letters A, M, P.
MOVE FORWARD
One is ADVANCE.
ADVANCE · MARCH · PROGRESS · PUSH
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
Walking past an open window on a humid afternoon when the trash hasn't been collected in days.
Sensory experiences
Shared thematic qualities
Members are 4–7 letters; first letters C, F, G, S.
THINGS THAT MIGHT STINK
One is CHEESE.
CHEESE · FEET · GARBAGE · SKUNK
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
A cold, dark lake where you can't see the bottom no matter how hard you squint.
Compound word construction
Words sharing a common prefix
Members are 3–6 letters; first letters C, F, S.
WORDS AFTER “DEEP”
One is CUT.
CUT · FAKE · FREEZE · SIX
Spoiler zone
Complete Connections answer
Open only the solution you want to see. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.
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Reveal the yellow group
FOOLISHNESSABSURDITY · FOLLY · MADNESS · NONSENSE
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Reveal the green group
MOVE FORWARDADVANCE · MARCH · PROGRESS · PUSH
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Reveal the blue group
THINGS THAT MIGHT STINKCHEESE · FEET · GARBAGE · SKUNK
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Reveal the violet group
WORDS AFTER “DEEP”CUT · FAKE · FREEZE · SIX
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on March 17, 2024. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Connections answer for March 17, 2024, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on March 17, 2024?
NYT Connections on March 17, 2024 rates 3 out of 4 on our difficulty scale — a tougher-than-average puzzle. As always you sort sixteen words into four colour-coded groups, and our hints tease what links each group without ever naming the words.
What's a spoiler-free hint for NYT Connections on March 17, 2024?
The hint ladder above starts with a one-line vibe for each of the four groups, then adds the connecting idea, then the wording of each category. You climb only as far as you need, and no grouped words are shown until the final reveal.
How many groups are in NYT Connections #280?
Four groups of four, ordered from the gentlest to the trickiest. For the categories and the sixteen words themselves, open the answer section on this page — the hints here keep them hidden.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 4 groups · 16 words
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 4 groups · 16 words