Issue #281 Mon 18 Mar
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — March 18, 2024
Today's grid requires a sharp eye for divergent definitions, as multiple terms pull double duty across the board. Expect a steady, methodical climb through categories that resist quick categorization.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
The blinking cursor on a progress bar or the steady click of a stopwatch during a timed test.
Time and progression terminology
Direct synonyms
Members are 5 letters each; first letters C, P, R, S.
SEGMENT OF A PROCESS
One is CYCLE.
CYCLE · PHASE · ROUND · STAGE
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
Looking up at a clear, dark patch of sky away from the city lights to find a familiar shape.
Astronomy
Proper nouns
Members are 5–7 letters; first letters C, G, O, P.
CONSTELLATIONS
One is CYGNUS.
CYGNUS · GEMINI · ORION · PEGASUS
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
The way water circles a drain or the pattern on a pinecone held in the palm of your hand.
Natural geometry
Commonly observed physical forms
Members are 5–9 letters; first letters C, G, S.
SPIRALS IN NATURE
One is CYCLONE.
CYCLONE · GALAXY · SNAIL · SUNFLOWER
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
Sitting alone at a card table or waiting for a single speaker to address the room.
Numerical associations
Semantic prefixes
Members are 7–9 letters; first letters C, M, S, U.
ASSOCIATED WITH “ONE”
One is CYCLOPS.
CYCLOPS · MONOLOGUE · SOLITAIRE · UNICYCLE
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
SEGMENT OF A PROCESSCYCLE · PHASE · ROUND · STAGE
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Reveal the green group
CONSTELLATIONSCYGNUS · GEMINI · ORION · PEGASUS
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Reveal the blue group
SPIRALS IN NATURECYCLONE · GALAXY · SNAIL · SUNFLOWER
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Reveal the violet group
ASSOCIATED WITH “ONE”CYCLOPS · MONOLOGUE · SOLITAIRE · UNICYCLE
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on March 18, 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 18, 2024, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on March 18, 2024?
NYT Connections on March 18, 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 18, 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 #281?
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