New York Times Connections Hints Today, Oct. 20, #497

October 20’s puzzle can be difficult, but with our New York Times Connections hints today, you’ll be able to solve it in no time at all. In this guide, we’ll give you some hints, some even more hints, and the straight up answers to the daily puzzle.

The New York Times has previously made puzzle games such as Wordle and, although it looks simpler in comparison, Connections can get quite confusing, especially with its peculiar use of unconventional word meanings.

Understanding Connections is simple: you are given 16 words and 4 chances to mess up. Your objective is to ‘connect‘ these 16 words by grouping them into groups of 4 based on similar word meanings and/or themes. What’s great about it is that it you can really just pick up and play right off the bat.

October 20’s word choices are interesting, to say the least. If you’re having trouble figuring out today’s puzzle, gradually scroll on down, and you’ll get basic tips, some more direct hints, and the solution to your conundrum.

Let’s get started. Here are the 16 words we’ll be working with today:

In Connections, each group of words is color coded, these being yellow, green, blue, and purple. Here are some hints for today:

• Yellow: Things heavily related to journalism.
• Green: Sounds that make your ear probably isn’t fond of.
• Blue: It’s your serve! Related to a sport played on a table.
• Purple: Words that have the same exact pronunciation as those that connect two sentences together.

If you’re still having trouble figuring out the answers, here are some more hints that can help you get closer to the solution for today:

• Additional Hint 1: All of these words can be part of a newspaper.
• Additional Hint 2: The confusing word in this category is one of the parts of a table. Don’t group that word together with the other part of a table in the same puzzle.
• Additional Hint 3: Ping Pong!
• Additional Hint 4: Think of a sentence that has two parts in your mind. There will be a connecting word between the parts. These same-sounding words can be placed between those parts.

If you still haven’t got it, let’s try making it a slight bit easier.

NY Times Connections can get confusing. If you still haven’t figured it out, perhaps knowing the group names will help. Here they are:

• Bit Of Newspaper Writing
• Noisy Disturbance
• Table Tennis Needs
• Homophones Of Coordinating Conjunctions

If you still couldn’t figure it out, no worries. Here is the solution for today’s Connections puzzle.

• Bit Of Newspaper Writing: Article, Column, Feature, Story
• Noisy Disturbance: Clatter, Racket, Row, Ruckus
• Table Tennis Needs: Ball, Net, Paddle, Table
• Homophones Of Coordinating Conjunctions: Butt, Fore, Oar, Sew

The Noisy Disturbance one was probably the simplest of the bunch. The only confusing word among them was Row and wondering if that would go with Column or not. Most of the Table Tennis Needs were self-explanatory. The Newspaper category was also relatively simpler than previous puzzles. Don’t fret if you didn’t get the purple category this time around.

By far, one of the most confusing parts of today’s New York Times was, of course, the entire Homophones of Coordinating Conjunctions category. At first glance, the words look like they have absolutely no connection with one another. Trying to relate them with other words was probably a common mistake.

Regardless, that’s what makes Connections fun. Its weird combinations of words make for a really engaging time especially when played with friends or family all trying to figure it out at the same time.

Today’s puzzle was a tricky one. Pat yourself on the back if you got it. Remember, there’s always tomorrow’s game to look out for, and if you haven’t already, be sure to check out October 19’s puzzle if you want to play through the archives.

Did you get the Connections answers today? Which group and words were the most confusing for you? Let us know in the comments and be sure to check back tomorrow for more New York Times Connections.