The New York Times' word puzzle sensation, Connections, continues to captivate players in India and worldwide, offering a daily test of logic and vocabulary. The game, which cleverly blends elements of Wordle with more complex pattern recognition, presents a fresh grid of 16 words every day. For the puzzle dated January 05, 2026, game number 939, enthusiasts found a particularly engaging mix of themes that challenged both general knowledge and lateral thinking.
How to Play and Master NYT Connections
At its core, NYT Connections is a word association game that demands sharp analytical skills. Players are faced with a 4x4 grid of seemingly random words. The objective is to sort these words into four groups of four, each linked by a common theme or subtle connection. The difficulty lies in the layers of association, which can range from straightforward to highly abstract. The game is completely free to play on both desktop and mobile devices, making it an accessible daily brain teaser for millions.
Today's Puzzle: Clues and Categories Revealed
For those tackling the January 5 puzzle, the game offered tiered hints to guide players without giving away the answers. The clues provided were: YELLOW: Facebook behavior, GREEN: Very far away, BLUE: A brush with history, and PURPLE: After U.
These hints lead to the following official categories and solutions:
YELLOW: THINGS YOU CAN DO ON SOCIAL MEDIA
The words in this group were COMMENT, LIKE, LURK, and POST. This was considered the easiest, or Yellow, category.
GREEN: FURTHEST POINT
This category included the words END, EXTREME, OPPOSITE, and POLE, testing vocabulary related to distance and limits.
BLUE: ART MOVEMENTS, WITH "-ISM"
A more challenging category required players to think of art movements. The solution words were BRUTAL (Brutalism), IMPRESSION (Impressionism), MANNER (Mannerism), and REAL (Realism).
PURPLE: WHAT "V" MIGHT MEAN
The trickiest category involved deciphering different meanings of the letter 'V'. The correct grouping was FIVE (Roman numeral), VERSUS (as in competition), VERY (common abbreviation), and VOLT (unit of electrical potential).
Why NYT Connections is a Global Hit
The game's brilliance lies in its simple mechanics paired with deeply satisfying puzzles. It has become a daily ritual for word game lovers, pushing players to enhance their pattern recognition, logical deduction, and problem-solving abilities. Unlike many mobile games, it relies on intellect rather than reflexes, offering a moment of focused mental exercise. Its international following is a testament to its clever design and the universal appeal of a good linguistic challenge.
As the game grows, it solidifies its place alongside other NYT puzzles like Wordle and the classic Crossword, proving that there is a massive, engaged audience for smart, daily digital puzzles.
