‘Connections’ March 30: Hints and Answers for Puzzle #658

If you’re finding today’s Connections puzzle a bit tricky, don’t worry—you’ve come to the right place.

To help you maintain your winning streak and avoid any frustration, Newsweek has put together a list of helpful tips and hints to guide you through today’s puzzle.

Since its debut in The New York Times in June 2023, Connections has quickly gained a massive following and is now considered one of the most popular word games, second only to Wordle. The game is a fun yet challenging exercise for your brain as it asks players to group words based on subtle and sometimes tricky connections, which tests your logic and language skills.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the fundamentals of the game, providing a breakdown of how to approach the puzzle. We’ll also share some helpful hints and solutions for today’s challenge, making sure you have everything you need to finish strong. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer, these tips will help you sharpen your puzzle-solving abilities.

Stock photo: A woman plays on her phone.

AP

How to Play Connections

In Connections, players must group 16 words into four categories based on their relationships. Each group is coded by color to indicate difficulty: yellow for the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple for more challenging sets.

The puzzles often incorporate homophones, wordplay, and other clever twists, ensuring they are rarely straightforward. Players can use a shuffle button to mix up the words on the screen if they get stuck.

Wyna Liu, crossword editor at the Times who was asked to develop Connections, recently offered tips for tackling the game in a recent interview with Newsweek.

“My top advice is to hold off on guessing as long as you can,” Liu said. “You might spot a clear category and think you see five words that fit, but don’t try guessing the four until you’re sure which one doesn’t belong. Jumping in too soon can cost you a turn.”

She also warned against what she calls “rage solving,” a method she confessed to using herself on occasion.