Issue #553 Sun 15 Dec
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — December 15, 2024
A tidy grid that rewards careful observation of word structure. Expect a few paths that lead to dead ends before the logic settles into place.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
The jar at the back of the pantry you only reach for on holidays.
Culinary staples
Synonyms
Members are 4–6 letters; first letters C, M, N, P.
SPICES
One is CLOVE.
CLOVE · MACE · NUTMEG · PEPPER
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
The look on an actor's face when the play goes off the rails.
Performance outcomes
Synonyms
Members are 4–8 letters; first letters F, T.
PERFORM POORLY
One is FLAIL.
FLAIL · FLOP · FLOUNDER · TANK
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
A rainy afternoon in a library with nowhere to be.
Manual actions
Synonyms
Members are 4–6 letters; first letters F, L, R, T.
SKIM THROUGH, AS PAGES
One is FLIP.
FLIP · LEAF · RIFFLE · THUMB
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
A radio dial turning past the stations you know by heart.
Linguistic play
Wordplay modification
Members are 3–5 letters; first letters K, M, S.
POP SINGERS MINUS “S”
One is KEY.
KEY · MAR · SPEAR · STYLE
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
SPICESCLOVE · MACE · NUTMEG · PEPPER
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Reveal the green group
PERFORM POORLYFLAIL · FLOP · FLOUNDER · TANK
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Reveal the blue group
SKIM THROUGH, AS PAGESFLIP · LEAF · RIFFLE · THUMB
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Reveal the violet group
POP SINGERS MINUS “S”KEY · MAR · SPEAR · STYLE
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on December 15, 2024. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Connections answer for December 15, 2024, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on December 15, 2024?
NYT Connections on December 15, 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 December 15, 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 #553?
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