December 26, 2024 Connections Hints and Solutions (Puzzle #564)

Are you facing challenges in solving today’s Connections puzzle? You’re not alone! Many players find this puzzle challenging due to the abundance of adjectives and adverbs that often clutter the board. Worry not, as we have gathered a wealth of hints and tips to guide you through this tricky terrain, ensuring your puzzling experience is both enjoyable and productive.

As we transition from the festive atmosphere of Christmas into the new year, it’s a perfect time to engage in some relaxing puzzle-solving activities. If you’re looking to unwind, consider the NYT’s Tiles puzzle. It’s an excellent way to spend your downtime, as it offers a calming challenge without the risk of frequent failure, ultimately rewarding you with a satisfying sense of accomplishment as the tiles beautifully disappear.

Today’s Connections Category Hints

DECEMBER 26 #563

eLDER IN Connections Categories December 26

Within today’s puzzle, numerous clever tricks await you along with ample clues to help you conquer them. There are two particularly challenging categories to differentiate, balanced by two that are more straightforward. The purple category stands out today, as slight alterations to the words would make their recognition much easier. With these insights, you may begin to unravel the puzzle.

One category pertains to items that are nearly
One category revolves around various types of the same botanical family
Another category involves terms that describe a quantity
The last category showcases four distinct uses of shorthand in a specific format

If these hints fall short of your needs, understanding the category names can often propel players closer to the solution. All four category names are listed below, followed by spoiler details.

APPROXIMATELY

TREES

SIZABLE, AS AN AMOUNT

U.S. STATE ABBREVIATIONS, PER AP STYLE GUIDE

Today’s Connections Answers

DECEMBER 26 #563

ELDER IN Connections Answers December 26

Yellow Answers: Revealed & Explained

APPROXIMATELY
ABOUT	AROUND	LIKE	ROUGHLY

This category presents a notable challenge, particularly due to its similarity to the blue category, both focused on modifiers. Players must make early judgments and hope they are correct. Personally, I felt fairly confident at first, although I did encounter some confusion that nearly hindered my progress.

Green Answers: Revealed & Explained

TREES
ELDER	PALM	PINE	SPRUCE

I quickly identified this category, bolstering my confidence with my knowledge of trees. This category consists of common nouns compared to other categories’ grammatical complexities, making it the most accessible option today, although your familiarity level may vary.

Blue Answers: Revealed & Explained

SIZABLE, AS AN AMOUNT
HANDSOME	HEALTHY	RESPECTABLE	TIDY

This category specifically relates to quantifying items, differentiating it from the previous one. Though still a challenge, I navigated this category more fluidly compared to others I’ve encountered recently, proving the relevance of my early grammar lessons.

Purple Answers: Revealed & Explained

U.S. STATE ABBREVIATIONS, PER AP STYLE GUIDE
LAND	ARK	MISS	ORE

Your familiarity with the AP style guide may affect your success with this category. Although two-letter state abbreviations are more commonly known, encountering these four-letter versions might pose a challenge. However, it was encouraging to feel optimistic about completing this category.

Other Games Like Connections

If you’re still seeking space to relax, numerous other puzzles await your exploration in the list below.

Game Name	How To Play	Is It Free To Play?
Wordle (NOW)	Solve a random five-letter word using color clues. Every Wordle answer is listed in our daily updated catalog.	Yes
Worldle	Identify a country based solely on its silhouette, accompanied by geographical hints.	Yes
The Password Game	Create a password in this unique and dynamic game. Check out our Password Game guide for tips.	Yes
Absurdle	Challenge yourself to solve a Wordle game without traditional hints, where the word may change based on your guesses.	Yes