I looked for a category that could group four words from the list. The words FEATURE, FILM, PICTURE, TALK all belong to the film/movies domain: • “feature film” • “film” itself • “picture” (a movie) • “talk picture” (early sound films). They are distinct words from the list that all relate to movies, so they satisfy the game rule of guessing four related words in the same category. Given the ambiguity around other possible groupings, I rate my confidence at 0.6.

I examined the list for clear groupings. The previous guess of FEATURE, FILM, PICTURE, TALK was incorrect, indicating that the “media” category was not the intended set. I then considered “short” as a common prefix: short talk, short film, short flick, short picture are all standard phrases describing a brief version of each. This gives a distinct and unambiguous category that fits exactly four words from the list. Thus I will submit those four words as my next guess.

The list contains several words that can be paired with the adjective SHORT to form common phrases: • SHORT TALK (a brief speech) • SHORT FILM (a short movie) • SHORT FEATURE (a short film in a feature-length program) • SHORT PICTURE (used informally for a brief film or photo). These four words are all valid matches for the “short ___” category, and they are the only set of four that cleanly satisfies the game’s requirement. Previous guesses missed “FEATURE” and included “FLICK”, which is also possible but less standard. Hence I’ll submit TALK, FILM, FEATURE, PICTURE as the final guess.

The list contains several words that commonly pair with the adjective SHORT: short talk, short film, short flick, short feature, short picture. My previous guess included the set TALK, FILM, FLICK, PICTURE, which was rejected. The remaining viable group is TALK, FILM, FLICK, FEATURE – all valid “short ___” phrases. No other set of four words in the list forms a clear, unambiguous category, so this is the most likely correct answer.

We need four words from the list that belong to the same category. A productive category is “words that can form a common phrasal verb with UP.” The following words from the list can each be paired with “up” to make a well‑known phrase: • CRANK + up → “crank up” • JACK + up → “jack up” • WALK + up → “walk up” • RAISE + up → “raise up” These four words meet the requirement and form a coherent category.

I’m looking for a category that can be formed by a subset of the given words. A common grouping in NYT Connections is “words that can be paired with a particular second word to create a familiar phrase”. From the list the most reliable common pair is “…UP”: • POWERS + UP → powers up (a ubiquitous gaming/tech phrase) • JACK + UP → jack up (to lift or raise) • RAISE + UP → raise up (to elevate) • CRANK + UP crank up (to increase intensity) These four appear in everyday usage and satisfy the rule that they each belong to the same straightforward category (words that form a well‑known phrase with “up”). The previous guess failed because “walk up” is less firmly established as Using the stronger pairings above increases the chance of a correct match. Thus I’ll submit these four words. I estimate about a 0.65 chance that this is the intended category, given that other possible categories could also use these words but are less clear. If this guess is still incorrect, I’ll refine the list in the next attempt.

We need a set of four words from the list that share a common relationship. A common puzzle pattern in Connections is a modification that turns each word into another valid word. One clear pattern in this list is that several words become standard English nouns when the suffix ‑ER is added: • BUNK + ER → BUNKER – a shelter or fortified area. • WALK + ER → WALKER – a person who walks or a device. • HUNT + ER → HUNTER – a person who pursues. • PEEL + ER → PEELER – a tool or device that peels. Each of the base words is present in the pool, and each resulting word is a legitimate noun found in standard dictionaries. No other words in the list readily form such a neat “base + ER” pattern with all members. Thus this set is the most plausible category.

I examined the list for any rule that ties exactly four words together. A strong pattern emerged: **four of the words can each take the particle “UP” to form a phrasal verb that means “to increase” or “to make stronger.” These words are: • CRANK → crank up (to increase speed or intensity) • JACK → jack up (to lift or raise) • HIKE → hike up (to raise a price, etc.) • POWERS → powers up (to get more power/energy, i.e., to increase) No other words in the list combine with “up” with this meaning, so the category consists of exactly these four words. This fits the NYT Connections style of a clear, single-move relationship. Thus the correct guess is:

Looking for a clear category among the supplied words, the most obvious grouping is the words that contain the letters "WOOD". The list contains exactly five such words: WOOD, WOODEN, WOODCHUCK, WOODSTOCK, and WOODY. Since we need four words, the intended set is likely the core "wood" words excluding the derivative adjective WOODY. Thus, the category is words that are compounds or variations directly built from the root "WOOD".

The only clear commonality among a subset of the words is that they all contain a pair of the same letter adjacent to each other—i.e., a double letter. • STIFF (FF) • SCROOGE (OO) • CLASSICS (SS) • WOODEN (OO) All of these are longer than four letters, which seems a reasonable extra constraint to narrow the category to exactly four words. No other words in the list have adjacent duplicate letters (except WOOD, which is only four letters long). Thus the intended set is these four words.

The list contains several words that contain an adjacent duplicate letter. The four that fit are: • STIFF – has FF • SCROOGE – has OO • CLASSICS – has SS • WOOD – has OO These are the only words in the list that have a double letter pair (apart from WOODEN, but the puzzle expects one specific four‑word set, and WOOD is a more neutral choice). Thus the category is “words that contain an adjacent pair of identical letters.”

I considered that the set of four words must share a unique characteristic not shared by most of the remaining words. Among the list, four words stand out as names of people or characters: * GUTHRIE – a surname (e.g., actor Ted Guthrie). * SCROOGE – the nickname of Ebenezer Scrooge. * CHUCK – a common given name (e.g., Chuck Norris). * WOODY – a given name (e.g., Woody Allen or the Toy Story character). No other words in the list are clearly proper names (most are ordinary nouns, adjectives, or verbs). Thus the category “proper names” fits exactly four items, making this the most plausible grouping. Other potential categories (e.g., words with double letters, words containing “WOOD”) involved a larger set of candidates, leaving this set as the tightest fit. So I’ll submit these four words.

I examined all the words to find a set that clearly share a common theme. The words “ATTOO MACHINE,” “PRINTER,” “MONITOR,” and “WATCH” are all electronic or mechanical devices that produce or display output: a tattoo machine inks skin, a printer prints paper, a monitor displays a computer screen, and a watch displays time. This group forms a distinct category of “devices/instruments” that fits the puzzle requirement.

I examined the list for themes that could link exactly four words. A clear group emerges consisting of verbs that all mean to observe or pursue something: • FOLLOW – to pursue or come after. • TRACK – to watch carefully or record. • MONITOR – to observe steadily. • WATCH – to look at intently. These four share a semantic category: “verbs that mean to observe, pursue, or keep an eye on.” No other word in the list fits this exact group. Thus this set is the most plausible answer for the Connections puzzle.

I examined the remaining nine words looking for a common trait that would form a clean category. The four words that stood out were PEN, ROSE, ROGER, WHITE because each can function as both a noun and a verb in standard English: • PEN – noun (writing instrument); verb (to write with a pen, to enclose in a pen). • ROSE – noun (flower); verb (past tense of rise). • ROGER – noun (name); verb (British usage meaning “to acknowledge or approve”). • WHITE – noun (color); verb (to make white or whiten). No other word among the remaining list comfortably fits this verb‑noun duality, so this set offers a clear, unique category. Given this, I’ll submit the four words that meet the criterion.

I examined the remaining six words: JUROR, TRIX, SQUID, MONTH, VELVETEEN, DONUT. The task is to pick four that belong to the same category. I considered several possible categories: 1. State‑abbreviation pattern – JUROR (OR), TRIX (RI), SQUID (ID), DONUT (UT), MONTH (MO) each contain a consecutive US state abbreviation. That yields 5 candidates, so it cannot form a unique set of four. 2. Words that are food items – DONUT is clearly edible, VELVETEEN is a chocolate bar, SQUID can be served as food, and TRIX is a breakfast cereal brand. These four are all consumable foods, and none of the other two remaining words (JUROR, MONTH) fit this category. Other patterns (repeated letters, anagrams, etc.) either matched fewer than four words or produced multiple possible groups. Thus the most natural and unique grouping is the food category: DONUT, VELVETEEN, SQUID, TRIX. This set is supported by common knowledge of each word as a food product. Therefore my guess is: • DONUT • VELVETEEN • SQUID • TRIX Setting aside any ambiguous uses, these four words all represent edible items, while the remaining two words do not. No other group of four among the remaining words is as clear or exclusive. That is why I am confident this is the correct answer.

We need a set of four words that all share a single, clear property. From the remaining words, the only cluster that fits a common English‑usage rule is the group of words that can function both as a noun and as a verb in modern English: • PEN – noun (writing implement) or verb (to write with a pen, to enclose animals). • ROSE – noun (flower) or verb (past tense of rise). • WHITE – noun (the color) or verb (to bleach/whiten). • ROGER – noun (proper name) and verb (informal verb meaning “to acknowledge/confirm,” as in “roger that”). These four words satisfy the criterion; no other word among the remaining set shares this dual part‑of‑speech role together. Thus, the remaining category is “Words that can be used as both nouns and verbs.”

I considered all the options and looked for a set of words that clearly share a single, well‑known category. The words SCROLL, SWIPE, PINCH, TAP all refer to common touch‑screen or mouse gestures. No other group of four words appears as clean and unambiguous, while the other candidates (such as bar‑related seating words) included extra possibilities or vague overlaps. Thus I am confident that the intended category is “touch‑screen/mouse gestures.”

The remaining words (after the first four have been used) are: EEK, TABLE, LOAF, ALE, COUNTER, HIVE, CHILL, VEG, BAR, LOUNGE, BOOTH, QUASH. When looking for a clear, common theme, the set TABLE, COUNTER, BOOTH, LOUNGE immediately stands out: each of these words names a piece of furniture or a seating area that you would normally find in a bar, coffee shop, or similar venue. This grouping is a clean, everyday category, making it a likely target for the Connections puzzle. Thus the next guess will try this group of four words.

The remaining words are: EEK, LOAF, ALE, HIVE, CHILL, VEG, BAR, QUASH. I looked for a single, clear category that would include a clean set of four. A good candidate is “words that can become another common word by changing their first letter”. • EEK → PEEK • ALE → SALE • HIVE → GIVE • CHILL → BILL All four of these new words are very common and the transformation (swap the first letter) is a simple, recognisable pattern. No other grouping of four words from the list presents a cleaner, more obvious link. Thus the next guess is these four words.

The remaining four words are LOAF, VEG, BAR, QUASH. I examined how each of these can be paired with a common word to form a familiar phrase. All four can be followed by the word OUT: • VEG OUT – “to relax/stop working” • LOAF OUT – “to idle, leave work” • BAR OUT – “to bar someone from going out / to prohibit” • QUASH OUT – “to stop or suppress something” Thus the category is “words that can be followed by OUT to create a common idiomatic phrase.” This fits all four words cleanly and is a distinct, recognizable connection.

All four previous guesses used different subsets of the 16 words, yet none matched the hidden category. The remaining words are: EEK, SCROLL, TAP, TABLE, LOAF, ALE, SWIPE, COUNTER, HIVE, CHILL, VEG, BAR, LOUNGE, PINCH, BOOTH, QUASH. I searched for a clean, everyday theme that had not yet been attempted. The set BAR, COUNTER, BOOTH, LOUNGE all describe items you find in or on a bar (the bar itself, a bar counter, a bar booth, a bar lounge). These four words naturally form a single, obvious category, unlike any other subset of four among the remaining words. Thus I believe the correct category is this bar‑furniture group.

The list includes several terms that are clearly related to geometry measurements: LENGTH, AREA, PERIMETER, and VOLUME. Each of these is a fundamental metric used in geometry and mathematics (length of a line, area of a shape, perimeter of a shape, and volume of a 3‑D object). They form a coherent category and are present in the available words list. No other group of four words from the list seems as obvious or strongly connected. Therefore, guessing these four words is a solid choice.

To find the next category, look for a distinct pattern shared by exactly four words among those remaining: • AYES → remove the final S → AYE (a word). • ORCA → remove the final A → ORC (a word). • OREO → remove the final O → ORE (a word). • OWES → remove the final S → OWE (a word). No other grouping of four words satisfies a clear, simple letter‑removal rule, so this is the most convincing category. Hence the correct four words are AYES, ORCA, OREO, and OWES.

The remaining unused words are: ARIA, ARS, AYES, CROSSWORD, DOMINO, EASE, ENCORE, EXCALIBUR, LUXOR, ORCA, OREO, OWES. A clear group among them is the set of things that are puzzles or games: • CROSSWORD – a word‑search puzzle • DOMINO – a tile‑playing game • LUXOR – a popular bead‑matching puzzle/board game • EXCALIBUR – a well‑known medieval board/card game set around the legendary sword These four are all established titles of games/puzzles and fit together naturally. No other grouping of exactly four of the remaining words satisfies such a neat, recognizable theme. Thus my next guess will be this group.

I have already proven that the geometry group (LENGTH, AREA, PERIMETER, VOLUME) is correct. The remaining 8 unused words are: AYES, CROSSWORD, DOMINO, ARIA, ORCA, EXCALIBUR, ENCORE, EASE. I have no reason to believe that any subset of these 8 can form a valid category other than the group I identify next. Among them, ARIA, ENCORE, EASE, and AYES share a musical connection: • ARIA – a solo performance in an opera. • ENCORE – a repeated musical performance requested by the audience. • EASE – a musical term meaning “to ease” the flow or transition of music. • AYES – the plural of AYE, a 12‑month expression often used in a musical or lyrical context. None of the other words in the list fit a similar musical theme, so I will submit this set as the final category.

The remaining unused words are: AYES, CROSSWORD, DOMINO, ARIA, LUXOR, ORCA, EXCALIBUR, OREO, ARS, OWES, ENCORE, EASE. We need a set of four that share a clear property. Looking at these words, four of them contain a U.S. state postal abbreviation as a two‑letter substring: * CROSSWORD – contains “OR” (Oregon) * ORCA – contains “OR” (Oregon) and “CA” (California) * LUXOR – contains “OR” (Oregon) at the end * EXCALIBUR – contains “CA” (California) and “AL” (Alabama) No other word among the list has a state abbreviation in this way. Thus the four words that form the category are CROSSWORD, ORCA, LUXOR, and EXCALIBUR. This pattern is a plausible title-based category (state abbreviations), so I will submit these four as my final guess.

The list contains many short words that can pair with a common noun to form familiar items. Looking for a theme that uses four of them, I noticed that: • BUMPER → Bumper cars • ROLLER → Roller coaster • FERRIS → Ferris wheel • BOUNCY → Bouncy castle These are all classic amusement‑park rides. No other group of four in the list fits as cleanly, so these four words should correctly form the category. Thus I will guess these four. <confidence>0.8</confidence>

I noticed that several list items can pair with a single noun to form well‑known amusement‑park rides. • BUMPER → Bumper car • ROLLER → Roller coaster • FERRIS → Ferris wheel The only remaining common ride in the list is MERRY, which combines with go‑round to form Merry‑go‑round. The previous guess used BOUNCY, which would yield bouncy castle – a playground item rather than a classic amusement‑park ride – so the group was incorrect. Thus the correct cluster of four words tied to theme‑park rides is BUMPER, ROLLER, FERRIS, MERRY. <confidence>0.7</confidence>

I re‑examined the list for a theme that hadn’t been considered yet. A useful clue is that many of the remaining words are adjectives that are used to describe a pleasant or cheerful mood. * BOUNCY – energetic, lively * BRIGHT – cheerful, optimistic * MERRY – happy, joyous * SUNNY – cheerful, upbeat All four words can stand alone as adjectives meaning “cheerful” or “positive.” No other set of four words from the list seemed to share a single clear semantic category. Therefore, the most plausible category is “words meaning cheerful/pleasant.” This is the group I will submit. <confidence>0.6</confidence>

I looked for a set of four words that clearly fit one common theme. The list contains several words that describe a degree or level: • GRADE – a level of quality or ranking. • RANK – a position in a hierarchy. • RATE – a measure of quantity or quality. • SCORE – points indicating performance. These four words all express some form of measurement or ranking, which seems like a coherent category. It’s my best guess for the puzzle’s answer. Confidence: 0.55

I considered the remaining 12 words and looked for a small, coherent set of four. Many of the leftovers describe aspects of physical activity: • PACE – how fast you run. • TRAIL – a path you run or walk. • SWEAT – what you produce during exertion. • FIDGET – small movements you make when active or restless. These four all naturally fall under the idea of “exercise or movement.” No other obvious group of four words among the list stands out as strongly related. Hence I guess these four as the next category. Confidence: moderate (about 45%).

I examined the remaining words for a clear, distinct group. The words DYE, PACE, TRAIL, and FIDGET are all nouns that can also function as verbs: • DYE – noun: a coloring substance; verb: to color. • PACE – noun: speed or step; verb: to walk back‑and‑forth. • TRAIL – noun: a path; verb: to follow or lag behind. • FIDGET – noun: restless motion; verb: to move restlessly. This fits the common puzzle theme of “verb‑noun” pairs, and none of the other remaining words share this dual‑use property. Therefore this set should be correct. Confidence: moderate (0.55)

I reviewed the remaining words after the previous incorrect guesses: PACE, MASCARA, STOCKINGS, SWEAT, BLUSH, TOWEL, DYE, CLIP, NOSE, TRAIL, TIGER. Looking for a coherent group of four, the most natural cluster is cosmetic/beauty items: • MASCARA – eyeliner mascara. • BLUSH – facial or lip blush. • DYE – hair dye. • CLIP – hair clip (used for styling). These all belong to the “beauty & hair styling” category, whereas the other words do not fit this theme. No other obvious set of four words from the list matches as neatly, so this seems like the correct guess. Confidence: 0.6

I reviewed the remaining words: PACE, MASCARA, STOCKINGS, SWEAT, BLUSH, TOWEL, FIDGET, DYE, CLIP, NOSE, TRAIL, TIGER. The most natural semantic cluster is items associated with exercise or physical activity: • PACE – the speed or rhythm of movement. • TRAIL – a path often used for running or cycling. • SWEAT – the perspiration produced during exertion. • TOWEL – a cloth used to dry sweat after activity. These four words clearly belong together under the theme of “workout/physical activity.” No other combination of four remaining words forms a more obvious category, so I’ll submit this set. Confidence: 0.6

The pool contains several words that can pair with a fixed second word to form well‑known song titles. The obvious pairings are: • HOTEL + CALIFORNIA → Hotel California (Eagles) • STAIRWAY + TO HEAVEN → Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin) • BABA + O'RILEY → Baba O'Riley (The Who) • BOHEMIAN + RAPSODY → Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen) These four words are each a component of a famous song title. No other word in the list creates a widely recognised song title with another word from the set, so this is the strongest category. Thus my four related words are: BABA, HOTEL, STAIRWAY, BOHEMIAN.

The remaining 12 words are: TRICK, BRIEF, PRANK, BOXER, HANDLE, FLOAT, HIPSTER, FOOL, CHAIN, THONG, FLAPPER, PUNK. Looking for another tight thematic set, the words that immediately come to mind are the four common types of underwear: • BRIEF • BOXER (short for boxer briefs) • THONG • HIPSTER (a modern style of brief) These four words all belong to the same category – styles of underwear – and have no overlap with the words already guessed. No other straightforward family of four seems to fit as cleanly in the remaining pool. Thus this is the most plausible next group.

The remaining words are: TRICK, PRANK, HANDLE, FLOAT, FOOL, CHAIN, FLAPPER, PUNK. We already used the four words related to song titles (BABA, HOTEL, STAIRWAY, BOHEMIAN) and the four words that refer to styles of underwear (BRIEF, BOXER, THONG, HIPSTER). The leftover four that best form a coherent category are CHAIN, FLOAT, FLAPPER, PUNK because each of these can precede the word DANCE to form a recognizable dance name: • CHAIN DANCE – a traditional dance form in some cultures. • FLOAT DANCE – a dance performed on or around decorative floats (often seen in parades or festivals). • FLAPPER DANCE – the lively 1920s dance style popular among flappers. • PUNK DANCE – the energetic dance style associated with punk music. All four words are therefore linked by the category “DANCE NAMES.” Thus the next guess is the set of those four words.

After the first two correct guesses, the remaining pool is TRICK, PRANK, HANDLE, FLOAT, FOOL, CHAIN, FLAPPER, PUNK. A simple, solid category that fits exactly four of these is “five‑letter words.” TRICK, PRANK, CHAIN, and FLOAT all comprise five letters, while the other four are not five‑letter words. No other four‑word grouping inside the pool seems as clean or obvious, making this the most likely category. Thus I will guess these four words.

The remaining four words are HANDLE, FOOL, FLAPPER, and PUNK. Each of these can be used both as a noun and as a verb: • HANDLE – noun (part of a door), verb (to manage). • FOOL – noun (a silly person), verb (to trick). • FLAPPER – noun (a 1920s woman), verb (to move in a flapping manner, though rare). • PUNK – noun (a rebellious youth), verb (to punch or attack). Thus all four belong to the same category: words that function as both nouns and verbs. This fits the remaining set of words and completes the puzzle.

The remaining eight words are: TRICK, PRANK, HANDLE, FLOAT, FOOL, CHAIN, FLAPPER, PUNK. We need a set of four that share a clearly definable category. One natural grouping is the set of words that can all be used as verbs meaning to deceive or manipulate: • TRICK – to deceive / trick. • PRANK – to play a trick on someone. • FOOL – to mislead or deceive. • HANDLE – to manage or take control of something. All four are verbs (and also nouns) and are related in that they concern manipulating or misleading someone or something. No other group of four within the remaining words shows a comparably tight relationship. Thus this is the most plausible remaining set.

The remaining words are: WEDGE, JAM, STUFF, NEIGHBORHOOD, RAINBOW, VANE, PINWHEEL, STREET, FLAG, WIND CHIME. I look for a clear, unambiguous category that can be satisfied by exactly four words. One such category is “words that can function both as nouns and as verbs.” Checking each: • WEDGE – noun (the shape) and verb (to wedge something). • JAM – noun (fruit preserves or congestion) and verb (to jam a device or traffic). • STUFF – noun (contents) and verb (to stuff). • FLAG – noun (banner) and verb (to flag down, to indicate). The other words either cannot be verbs or do not fit neatly into a single group with four members. Thus WEDGE, JAM, STUFF, FLAG form a valid set. This matches the specification: four related words in a single category, and each word will be used only once. No conflicts with previous guesses remain.

The remaining nine words are: WEDGE, JAM, STUFF, NEIGHBORHOOD, RAINBOW, VANE, PINWHEEL, STREET, WIND CHIME. Among these, four of them are compound words (made of two smaller words combined): • NEIGH‑B‑HOOD (neighbour + hood) • RAIN‑BOW (rain + bow) • PIN‑WHEEL (pin + wheel) • WIND‑CHIME (wind + chime) None of the other words (WEDGE, JAM, STUFF, VANE, STREET) are compounds. Thus the four words that share the defining characteristic “compound word” are exactly the four listed above. I’m confident this matches the intended category for the next correct guess.

I inspected the list for common patterns. Only four words have exactly four letters: DROP, ECHO, MIME, LAG. No other subset of four words shares a single clear property among all 16 words. Thus the most likely category is “words with four letters.”

I looked for a set of four words that could logically belong together. The words GENIE, PRINCESS, MONKEY, PARROT all correspond to the main characters of Disney’s Aladdin – Genie, Princess Jasmine, Abu the monkey, and Iago the parrot. None of the other words fit this theme, so this is the most plausible category.

I reviewed the remaining 12 words: SAMURAI, CANDLES, DROP, ECHO, MIME, REFEREE, FANTASTIC, LAG, APOLLO, PRISONER, FREEZE, SAILOR. I looked for a clear, well‑known category that could involve exactly four of them. The group “DROP, LAG, FREEZE, ECHO” stands out because each word is a common term used to describe a communication/network issue or a characteristic effect in computing or gaming (e.g., packet drop, lag, frozen screen, echo effect). No other four‑word subset appears to share an equally recognizable property, and all four are unused so far. Thus this is the most plausible category for the next round.

After the previous 8 words were used (GENIE, PRINCESS, MONKEY, PARROT, DROP, LAG, FREEZE, ECHO), the remaining eight are: SAMURAI, CANDLES, MIME, REFEREE, FANTASTIC, APOLLO, PRISONER, SAILOR. Among those, SAMURAI, MIME, REFEREE, SAILOR all refer to distinct human occupations or roles. The other four words (CANDLES, FANTASTIC, APOLLO, PRISONER) have no similar shared “role” property, so the occupation theme is the most precise 4‑word category that fits the remaining words.

We have used all the other words. The remaining unused words are: CANDLES, FANTASTIC, APOLLO, PRISONER, SAILOR. We need a set of four that form a clear category. • CANDLES, APOLLO, PRISONER, SAILOR are all common nouns that can be pluralized simply by adding an “S”: - candles → candles - Apollo → Apollos - prisoner → prisoners - sailor → sailors • FANTASTIC is an adjective and cannot be pluralized in this way; it stands out. Thus the remaining four form a logical category: “Nouns that are pluralized by adding an S.” So the correct set is the four nouns listed above.

I looked at the four words that remain unused: CANDLES, FANTASTIC, APOLLO, PRISONER. All of them can be turned into a plural form simply by adding an “S” (candles, apollos, prisoners, fantastics). The other three words (if we tried any other category) would not have a clean way to form a plural that is a valid word, whereas each of these four does. Thus the category is “words that become valid plural forms by adding an S.” Since every word in the list fulfills this property, the correct guess is the entire remaining set.

The list contains a number of words that can mean “finished” or “ended.” • DONE directly means finished. • OVER can denote that something has come to a close (“the movie is over”). • COMPLETE also signals fullness or ending. • THROUGH is often used to indicate that something has been finished completely (“complete through”). These four words share a clear semantic category and none of the other words do so as tightly. Thus the most plausible set of related words is these four.

I look for a familiar grouping among the remaining words. Four of them stand out as items that possess a shell: • HARD TACO – the shell of the taco. • M&M – each candy is wrapped in a shell. • SNAIL – a snail has a protective shell. • EGG – an egg is encased in a shell. None of the other words (BULL, WATCH, LAP, BELT, UNDER, SHOT, GULP, SLUG) naturally share this “has a shell” property, so this seems like a solid category. Therefore I guess these four words.

The remaining unused words are WATCH, LAP, BULL, BELT, UNDER, SHOT, GULP, SLUG. I notice that LAP, SHOT, GULP, and SLUG are all verbs (or noun/verb pairs) that describe the act of taking a drink quickly or entirely: * LAP – a horse or person can lap up liquid. * SHOT – a shot of alcohol or a drink taken in one quick swallow. * GULP – to swallow quickly. * SLUG – to swallow forcefully or to take a large gulp of drink. These four words form a clear, self‑contained category. None of the other remaining words neatly fit this theme, and none of the four we've identified have been used in the earlier sets. Thus the next guess should be these four words.

The remaining words are WATCH, BULL, BELT, UNDER. A natural bridge word for all of them is DOG: • WATCH + DOG = watchdog • BULL + DOG = bulldog • UNDER + DOG = underdog • DOG + BELT = dog belt (a leash/harness used by dog owners). Thus these four words share a common link word, forming valid compounds. So the category should be DOG, and the four words to submit are WATCH, BULL, UNDER, BELT.

The four remaining words are WATCH, BULL, BELT, UNDER. All of them can pair with the word DOG to form common English compounds: * WATCH + DOG → WATCHDOG * BULL + DOG → BULLDOG * UNDER + DOG → UNDerdog * DOG + BELT → DOG BELT (a strap for a dog) Thus the category is “Words that can form a compound with DOG.” All four words belong to this set and have not been used before. Therefore the final category is confirmed by these four words.

The 16 available words seem like a mix of common verbs and nouns that could form a few potential categories. A particularly strong grouping is the set of verbs that describe physical phase changes: • VAPORIZE – liquid to gas • FREEZE – liquid to solid • MELT – solid to liquid • CONDENSE – gas to liquid These four words nicely fit the theme of “transitions between states of matter.” None of the other words naturally form a tidy four‑word category as cleanly. Therefore, the most plausible solution is the phase‑change group. Given that only a single set of four words should be correct, I will guess those four.

We need a fourth set of four words that all belong to a single category. The remaining words are BACKUP, HACK, SOMEDAY, COPPER, ALTERNATE, HERO, SHRINK, SUIT, SUB, FANTASY, COVER, HONEY. Looking for a natural grouping, a clear set emerges in the computer/technology domain: * BACKUP – a copy or safety copy of data. * HACK – a method of bypassing security or an informal solution. * SHRINK – used in the sense of “code‑shrink” or “minify”. * COVER – “code coverage” is a standard metric in software testing. All four words are commonly used terms related to software development / IT. This is a distinct category that does not overlap with the phase‑change group we identified earlier, so it satisfies the game’s rules. Confidence: 0.45 – other plausible groups exist but this one feels the most coherent.

We have already solved the phase‑change category with VAPORIZE, FREEZE, MELT, CONDENSE. For the remaining words we need a distinct group of four that share a common meaning. Looking at the unused words: BACKUP, HACK, SOMEDAY, COPPER, ALTERNATE, HERO, SHRINK, SUIT, SUB, FANTASY, COVER, HONEY. One clear semantic cluster is the idea of a replacement or stand‑in: • BACKUP – a spare or substitute. • ALTERNATE – to substitute or take the place of. • SUB – abbreviation for substitute. • COVER – also used in sports/teams to mean a stand‑in (e.g., “cover for” someone). These four words are synonyms for “substitute/stand‑in”, while none of the phase‑change words share that meaning, so the the next guess is this replacement (stand‑in) category.

The remaining eight words are: HACK, SOMEDAY, COPPER, HERO, SHRINK, SUIT, FANTASY, HONEY. A common link that stands out is that all four of the words HACK, SHRINK, HERO, COPPER are nouns that denote a person or a role: • Hack – an unskilled worker or someone who hacks. • Shrink – a psychologist/psychiatrist. • Hero – a person admired for bravery. • Copper – slang for a policeman. These four together form a clear, everyday category that fits the tone of the earlier categories (state changes and stand‑in synonyms). The remaining four words (SOMEDAY, SUIT, FANTASY, HONEY) form a different category. Thus the next guess should be this set of four.

Among the eight remaining words – HACK, SOMEDAY, COPPER, HERO, SHRINK, SUIT, FANTASY, HONEY – I looked for a set that shares a clear, everyday linguistic relationship. A common puzzle category is “words that can form a noun referring to a person by adding a common suffix or by simply using the noun as a job title.” * HACK → hacker (a person who hacks). * SHRINK → shrink (a psychiatrist, a person in a job). * COPPER → copper (slang for a policeman). * SUIT → suitor (a person who sues someone, or a romantic partner looking to court). All four words can be turned into a noun that denotes a specific type of person – a specialized job or role – and the resulting nouns are distinct. No other combination of four of the surviving words presents such a tidy, single‑theme grouping, so this is the most plausible final category. Thus the correct next guess is:

We are left with the four words: SOMEDAY, FANTASY, HERO, HONEY. These words each can be paired with the word DAY to describe a specific celebration or event: • HERO DAY – a day that honors heroes (e.g., National Heroes Day). • FANTASY DAY – a day focused on fantasy (used in various conventions). • HONEY DAY – a day that celebrates honey or beekeeping. • SOMEDAY already ends with “DAY” (a “someday” is a future day). So the natural common link is “___ day” – each word can be appended to or is already a “day”.

The list of available words contains several obvious groupings. One strong set is the four common types of floor covering: WOOD, CARPET, LAMINATE, and TILE. All four are distinct but belong to the same category of materials used for flooring. No other four words in the list combine into a more obvious category, and this set fits a typical “types of ____” theme that often appears in NYT Connections. Therefore, the best guess is these four words.

The remaining words after the correct floor‑covering group are: SHORE, BANK, COAST, STRAND, BANSHEE, WAILER, PIP, CHEMISTRY, CONNECTION, SPARK, HEARTBREAKER, FIREWORKS. A strong thematic cluster for four of these is the romantic/relationship vocabulary that often appears in NYT puzzles: CHEMISTRY (the feeling that sparks attraction), SPARK ( initial excitement in a relationship), CONNECTION (the bond that holds partners together), and HEARTBREAKER (someone who causes emotional pain). These all relate to love and attraction, forming a cohesive category. Thus the second guess is:

The remaining unused words are: SHORE, BANK, COAST, STRAND, BANSHEE, WAILER, PIP, FIREWORKS. A clear and common grouping is the four terms that refer to edges of bodies of water: SHORE, COAST, BANK, STRAND. Each word denotes a land area adjacent to a sea, lake, or river – the line where water meets land. No other quartet of the remaining words forms a more obvious and widely recognizable category, so this is the best choice.

I need to pair the four remaining words – BANSHEE, WAILER, PIP, and FIREWORKS – into a single logical category. anshee, wailer, pip) are actually common names for specific kinds of fireworks or small pyrotechnic devices. • Banshee – a particular type of firecracker noted for its high‑pitched “wail.” • Wailer – a small air‑blasted firecracker that makes a loud wailing sound. • Pip – a tiny firecracker or “pigeon’s eye” that produces a sharp “pip” sound when it detonates. The fourth word, FIREWORKS, is the generic category that clearly connects with the other three. Thus the four words all belong to the category “types of fireworks.”

After removing the already‑identified groups (floor coverings and shoreline edges), the eight remaining words are: BANSHEE, WAILER, PIP, FIREWORKS, CHEMISTRY, CONNECTION, SPARK, HEARTBREAKER. The words CHEMISTRY, CONNECTION, SPARK, FIREWORKS all directly relate to the idea of a spark or ignition – a spark is a chemical reaction, a connection can be an electrical link, and fireworks produce visible sparks. Those four form a clear group. What remains is the complementary set of four words. The remaining words are BANSHEE, WAILER, PIP, HEARTBREAKER. Each of these can be described as a term that signifies or hints at a cry or lament: • BANSHEE – the mythical wailing spirit. • WAILER – something that wails. • PIP – the small “pip” sound of a tiny firecracker. • HEARTBREAKER – a person whose actions elicit sorrow or wailing. these four together form a logical set that complements the fireworks/ignition theme. They are distinct from the fire‑spark group and fully exhaust the remaining words. Therefore the next guess is the set pairs with the fire‑spark group.

We have identified three correct groups: 1. WOOD, CARPET, LAMINATE, TILE – floor coverings 2. SHORE, COAST, BANK, STRAND – shoreline edges 3. BANSHEE, WAILER, PIP, HEARTBREAKER – “screaming” or “cry‑related” terms Only four words remain unused: CHEMISTRY, CONNECTION, SPARK, FIREWORKS. These words all associate with a theme of ignition or electricity: • A spark is the moment of ignition. • Fireworks are a large, public display of spark‑based explosions. • Connections (especially electrical) rely on sparks to transmit current or to ignite. • Chemistry is the science that explains how sparks form and propel reactions. Thus, the remaining four words form the theme “things related to sparks or ignition”. Therefore, the correct final group is exactly these four words. Conclusion: guess these four words as the last category.

I considered the list of 14 words and looked for possible common categories. The words “HEAD”, “EAR”, “NOSE”–all clearly refer to parts of mammals or other animals. “WING” is also a body‑part used by many animals (birds, insects, bats). This grouping is the most obvious set of four that share a natural category (“parts of an animal”). The other words (ENGINE, CABIN, HOSE, BULB, CRAYON, HONEYCOMB, ROB, FLEECE, STALK, STIFF) are disparate, so I’m choosing the clear animal‑part cluster. Thus my guess is four words that form the category “Parts of an animal”. I’m relatively confident but unsure—about half a chance that my guess matches the intended category.

I looked for a different category among the remaining words that hasn’t been used yet. Both CABIN, ENGINE, HOSE, and SEAL are parts or components that can belong to a vehicle or vessel: * a cabin is the enclosed space of a boat/vehicle, * an engine powers it, * a hose is used for fuel or water, and * a seal keeps the vehicle watertight. This grouping feels natural and distinct from the previous “animal parts” guess. I’m uncertain but have a decent intuition that this is the intended category.

I examined the remaining words for a clear, concrete category. The words ENGINE, CABIN, NOSE, WING all denote distinct parts of an airplane: • an ENGINE powers it; • the CABIN is where passengers sit; • the NOSE houses the cockpit and front sensors; • the WING provides lift. No other set of four words from the list matches such an instantly recognizable category as plainly as these. Thus the intended connection is the parts of an airplane. The other words (HEAD, EAR, etc.) do not fit any obvious four‑word grouping that would compete with airplane parts, so I am confident this guess is correct.

Looking at the remaining words, a promising connection is that several are commonly associated with wax. • CANDLE is literally made of wax. • CRAYON contains wax as its base. • HONEYCOMB is the wax structure bees build. • SEAL is typically a wax seal used to close letters or documents. All four share a clear, specific relationship (“things that involve wax”). No other group of four words from the list forms such a tight category. Therefore this is the most plausible next guess.

With the words ENGINE, CABIN, NOSE, WING, CANDLE, CRAYON, HONEYCOMB, and SEAL already used, the remaining options are: HEAD, EAR, STALK, HOSE, STIFF, BULB, ROB, FLEECE. The best way to make a coherent category from four of these is to treat them as parts of a plant: • HEAD – we say “head of lettuce”, “head of cabbage”, or simply the top part of a plant. • EAR – an “ear of corn” or an “ear of wheat”. • STALK – the stem or stalk of a plant. • BULB – a bulb is a specialized plant organ (e.g., onion, tulip). All four are familiar botanical parts, and no other subset of the remaining words forms an equally clear category. Therefore, the most likely correct set is the plant‑part group. Confidence: high.

All 16 words have now been used in four correct groups except HOSE, STUFF, ROB, and FLEECE. Examining these four, each can be used as a verb in English: • TO HOSÉ – to spray water (e.g., on a horse). • TO STIFF – to restrain, to make rigid, or to bribe. • TO FLEECÉ – to fleece someone, i.e., to cheat or steal. • TO ROB – to steal or take by force. Thus they all belong to a category of verbs. The only other category left to fill is the verb group, so these four words fit.

I looked for 4 words that naturally form a single group. • CHIEF, DIRECTOR, HEAD, and CHAIR are all titles/positions that denote a person in authority (chair of a committee, director of an organization, chief officer, head of a department). Both the words and their meanings fit neatly into one common category, whereas other potential groupings (like colors) rely on more obscure or less direct usage of the words. Thus my best guess is that the requested category is “leadership/authority titles.”

I noticed that four of the remaining words can each form a common nut name when combined with the word NUT: • HAZEL + NUT → HAZELNUT • COCO + NUT → COCONUT • CHEST + NUT → CHESTNUT • PEA + NUT → PEANUT All four are distinct nuts, so they form a clean category. None of these words were used in the first correct set, so they are available. This fits the style of NYT Connections where a single thematic link unites each group.

I listed the remaining words: GROUNDS, LAWN, UNCHAINED, DOGS, FIELD, GREEN, FICTION, BROWN. Two obvious, related sets emerge: 1. GROUNDS, LAWN, GREEN, FIELD – all are terms that refer to grassy or open areas. 2. UNCHAINED, DOGS, FICTION, BROWN – each of these can be followed by the word “free” to form a common phrase (e.g., “free dogs,” “free fiction,” “free unchained”). Thus the two hidden categories are “grassy areas” and “free‑something.” These are my best-guess groups given the remaining words. If the second set isn’t the intended association, I’d be happy to try another combination once I get any feedback (e.g., if the “free” link feels off).

The eight remaining words are: BROWN, DOGS, FICTION, FIELD, GREEN, GROUNDS, LAWN, UNCHAINED. A clear thematic link appears between FIELD, LAWN, GROUNDS, and GREEN – each refers to a grassy or open area (a field, a lawn, grounds, or a green). This set is self‑contained and does not overlap with any previously guessed words, so it makes a strong, obvious group. Thus I’ll submit these four words as the next correct guess.

The remaining four words are BROWN, DOGS, FICTION, and UNCHAINED. Each of these is a concise, standalone English word that often appears as the title of a film or book. • “Dogs” is a 2018 film. • “Fiction” is a well‑known film title. • “Unchained” is also the title of a movie. • “Brown” is a single‑word title used for several films (e.g., the 2016 Canadian film “Brown”). Thus the common theme among the four words is that they are each a film title.

The available words contain several that are closely related in meaning. FUSE, COMBINE, BOND are all verbs meaning “to join.” The remaining words that fit a common theme are BIRTH, GENESIS, START, and DAWN – each representing a beginning or outset. None of the other words share this specific semantic group. Thus the most coherent set that would make a “related words” category is the four synonyms for a beginning. I will guess those four words.

Among the remaining words the group that stands out is the four words that are commonly known as acronyms or initialisms: • NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) • MTV (Music Television) • ALF (Alien Life Form) • FUSE (a generic‑sounding initialism, e.g., “FUSE” can be an abbreviation for “Full‑System Emulator” or “Fuse Unlimited …”) These all share the common property of being initials representing longer phrases, unlike the other words left. No other clear set of four words among the rest shares a stronger common theme. So the likely second set is NES, MTV, ALF, and FUSE.

The remaining pool after the first set is: FUSE, MTV, POLE, COMBINE, VHS, BOND, NES, FLOWER, ALF, WED, FLY, DAY I need a clean, recognizable theme that can’t overlap with the previous “beginning” set. Looking at the verbs in the list, four of them all mean “to join together”: • BOND – to attach or connect (verb) • COMBINE – to unite or merge (verb) • FUSE – to melt and join (verb/noun) • WED – to join in marriage (verb) These words are distinct in meaning and all fit the same category of “joining.” No other four words in the remaining pool form a clearer, exclusive category, and none of these four appear in the first set, so re‑use is avoided. Thus the second correct guess should be this set of four “join” verbs. Confidence is moderate because while the category is plausible, there is a small chance another hidden theme (e.g., abbreviations) was intended.

Among the remaining words—MTV, POLE, VHS, NES, FLOWER, ALF, FLY, DAY—there is a clear sub‑group of four that are all acronyms for longer phrases. • MTV: Music Television • VHS: Video Home System • NES: Nintendo Entertainment System • ALF: Alien Life Form (the title of the sitcom) All are five‑ or three‑letter abbreviations/initialisms often used as names for media or technology. None of these words were used in the previous guesses, and the set of four acronyms stands out distinctly from the other words left. Thus the next category should be these four acronyms. Worst‑case: if ALF is judged not an acronym, the only other viable 4‑word group would be difficult to identify. Confidence in this choice is moderate.

The four words that form a recognizable category in this set are BLUE, LEFT, LIBERAL PROGRESSIVE. In political terminology, these are all terms that describe or refer to the liberal or left‑wing side of the political spectrum, especially in the United States (e.g., blue states, liberal ideology, progressive movements, left‑leaning positions). None of the other words in the list share this specific thematic link, making this grouping a strong candidate for a correct answer.

I’m looking for a set of four words that naturally belong together. The words CONE, CUP, SPLIT, SHAKE all refer to different ways you can enjoy ice‑cream or frozen desserts. • A cone holds scoops of ice cream. • A cup is another common container for ice cream or scoops of frozen treat. • A split (e.g., banana split) mixes ice cream with other flavors, typically served in a dish or cup. • A shake is a milkshake that often contains ice cream. These four words form a clear, common theme that is not shared by any other potential group from the remaining list, making it a solid guess for a correct category.

After removing the words used in earlier categories, the remaining set is: GOOD SHEPHERD, SPACECRAFT, GREEK/ROMAN GOD, RAINMAKER, DEPARTED, MARTIAN, FICTIONAL BOXER. One natural grouping that emerges is the titles of movies. • “The Good Shepherd” (2006 film) • “The Rainmaker” (1997 film) • “The Departed” (2006 film) • “The Boxer” (1992 film) – a fictional boxer character. Thus these four words can be paired as a distinct category: films that feature these phrases in their titles. The other words in the list don’t share a clear, singular theme with each other, so this grouping is the most likely correct choice.

The remaining words are: GOOD SHEPHERD, SPACECRAFT, GREEK/ROMAN GOD, RAINMAKER, DEPARTED, MARTIAN, FICTIONAL BOXER. A clear common link among four of them is that they are all titles of well‑known feature films that include the word “THE” in their name: • The Good Shepherd (2006) • The Rainmaker (1997) • The Departed (2006) • The Martian (2015) The other words (Spacecraft, Greek/Roman God, Fictional Boxer) do not fit this “The‑movie” pattern, so the four that match are the correct category. Thus, the correct guess is the set of four movie titles listed above.

All four remaining words correspond to the name APOLLO: • SPACECRAFT – NASA’s Apollo mission spacecraft. • GREEK/ROMAN GOD – Apollo, the Greek/Roman deity. • THEATER – Apollo Theater, the famous venue in Harlem. • FICTIONAL BOXER – Apollo Creed, the fictional boxing champion in the Rocky films. Thus they form a coherent category linked by the single term “Apollo.”

The list contains many pairs of words that can relate to each other in different ways. • BUCK, RAM, BILLY, JACK are all male animal names: - BUCK – male deer - RAM – male sheep - BILLY – male goat - JACK – male donkey This grouping fits a straightforward, common category that the game often uses. Other groupings are possible (e.g., single/alone words, flavor synonyms, body‑action verbs), but the male animal set is cleanest and uses exactly four distinct words that fit the same category.

We have the remaining words: PUNCH, SOLO, MING, ZEST, HAN, SONG, FREE, KICK, STAG, SINGLE, TANG, ZING. Looking for a clear, common category that uses exactly four of them, the set ZEST, TANG, ZING, PUNCH fits perfectly: each is a noun that refers to a sharp or strong flavor (or a drink). No other group of four words stands out as neatly connected. Thus I will guess these four.

We must find a coherent category among the remaining words: PUNCH, SOLO, MING, ZEST, HAN, SONG, FREE, KICK, STAG, SINGLE, TANG, ZING Looking for natural groupings, the Chinese dynasties stand out: • HAN • TANG • SONG • MING All four are well‑known dynasties that ruled China, each name appearing as a distinct word in the list. No other subset of four words offers a stronger or more specific link. Therefore these four form the correct category. So the guess will be the four dynasty names in capitals.

Among the remaining words – SOLO, FREE, KICK, STAG, SINGLE – the strongest common theme is the sense of “alone” or “unaccompanied.” • SOLO → alone, unpaired. • FREE → not tied or bound; often used to mean “unattached.” • SINGLE → one, alone. • STAG → a single male deer, and a “stag party” is for an unmarried (single) man. The word KICK does not fit this theme and is therefore the odd one out. Thus the category is formed by the four words that all relate to being alone or single.

The four words that remain—PUNCH, KICK, ZING, ZEST—can all describe a sudden burst of energy or excitement. • PUNCH can mean “an energetic hit” or “a powerful surge.” • KICK is often used to describe the energetic boost you get from caffeine or from motion. • ZING literally means a sharp burst or a lively kick. • ZEST denotes enthusiasm, flavor, or the lively “oomph” of something. Thus these four words form a natural category of “words that convey a strong, energetic burst.”