January 1, 2024 Connections Puzzle #570 Hints and Answers

With the dawn of a new year comes an exciting opportunity for puzzle enthusiasts—today’s Connections puzzle! This edition strikes a balance in terms of difficulty, making it an ideal starting point for establishing a strong solving streak. If you need a few hints, don’t worry; this puzzle offers clues that can help guide you smoothly into the year.

For those seeking an alternative challenge, the NYT Mini Crossword is a delightful choice. This compact version captures all the thrill of classic crossword puzzles in a streamlined format. It presents a perfect blend of challenge and brevity, allowing you to engage your mind without committing too much time. While many puzzles exist out there, this one stands out for being quick yet satisfying.

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Today’s Connections Category Hints

JANUARY 01 #570

Aurora in Connections Categories January 01

Today’s categories offer an intriguing variety, where some words might lead you astray. Nevertheless, many terms reflect the festive spirit of the holiday season. This combination can stir a mix of emotions, adding to the challenge of the puzzle. A few helpful hints might just turn the tide in your favor.

One category includes creatures sharing a notable characteristic.
Another category focuses on objects that illuminate the sky.
A specific category is tied to items associated exclusively with one location.
Lastly, there’s a category featuring terms that conclude with various synonyms for “plunge.”

For more assistance with today’s puzzle, we can provide further details starting with the category names, followed by complete solutions.

SLIMY ANIMALS

THINGS THAT LUMINESCE

DUTCH SYMBOLS

ENDING WITH SYNONYMS FOR “PLUNGE”

Today’s Connections Answers

JANUARY 01 #570

Aurora in Connections Answers January 01

Yellow Answers: Revealed & Explained

SLIMY ANIMALS
EARTHWORM	EEL	SALAMANDER	SLUG

This category presented a whimsical challenge. The word EARTHWORM stood out immediately, followed closely by SALAMANDER. SLUG was also easy to identify, yet I initially overlooked EEL. Once I recognized it, connecting all four terms was straightforward and enjoyable.

Green Answers: Revealed & Explained

THINGS THAT LUMINESCE
AURORA	FIREFLY	GLOWSTICK	RADIUM

This category evoked vivid imagery linked to celebrations. I quickly identified FIREFLY and GLOWSTICK, and those clues naturally led me to AURORA. RADIUM took a moment longer to associate, yet it rounded out the category beautifully.

Blue Answers: Revealed & Explained

DUTCH SYMBOLS
CANAL	CLOG	TULIP	WINDMILL

I arrived at this category last, having identified the purple one first. Many water-related words cluttered this section, complicating my attempts to create connections. After discarding certain guesses, I noticed several words that could form compound terms. With processes like this in mind, I was able to discern the connections successfully.

Purple Answers: Revealed & Explained

ENDING WITH SYNONYMS FOR “PLUNGE”
GATECRASH	raindrop	SKYDIVE	WATERFALL

In this case, I focused on the endings rather than the beginnings of the terms to identify a common thread. The terms “drop” and “fall” immediately stood out, prompting me to eliminate WINDMILL from consideration. Luck was on my side as I successfully guessed the rest.

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