Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe Tuesday, January 21 edition refers to January 21, 2025, not 2026: the 2025 puzzle was Connections #590, while January 21, 2026 was a Wednesday. The grid, hints, and answers are separated below so you can stop before seeing spoilers.
The matching edition for Tuesday, January 21 is the January 21, 2025 puzzle, Connections #590. (January 21, 2026 fell on a Wednesday.) Below is the puzzle in spoiler-controlled stages: first the grid, then progressively clearer hints, then the categories and complete answers.
![Word Games Puzzles Book/Decode the Message – 4 Pack [Paperback] Penny Press/Dell Magazines](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51VZGQMVuBL._SL160_.jpg)
The 16 words
Here is the original grid:
- MINIATURE
- OCTOPUS
- CRACK
- PEPPER
- SLIGHT
- SALT
- DIG
- SAND
- DOLL
- WHO
- SHOVEL
- FIGURE
- PLOW
- BARB
- MODEL
- NO
Progressive hints
Try the first set of clues before opening the more explicit version.
- Yellow: Belittle
- Green: Tiny version
- Blue: Slush clearance
- Purple: Famous docs
More explicit category clues
- Yellow: PUTDOWN
- Green: SMALL LIKENESS
- Blue: USED TO CLEAR SNOW
- Purple: DOCTORS IN POP CULTURE
Connections #590 categories
Ready for the category names?
Reveal the four categories
- Yellow: PUTDOWN
- Green: SMALL LIKENESS
- Blue: USED TO CLEAR SNOW
- Purple: DOCTORS IN POP CULTURE
Complete answers
Here are the four groups and the reason each word belongs.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match#1 Best Overall
Yellow — PUTDOWN
BARB, CRACK, DIG, SLIGHT
Each word can describe an insult, criticism, or belittling remark. A “barb” is a pointed criticism, while a “dig” or “crack” can be an unkind remark. A “slight” is an insult or act of disrespect.
Green — SMALL LIKENESS
DOLL, FIGURE, MINIATURE, MODEL
These can all refer to small representations or likenesses of people, objects, or subjects. A doll, figure, miniature, or model stands in for something larger or real.
Rank #2
Blue — USED TO CLEAR SNOW
PLOW, SALT, SAND, SHOVEL
A plow and shovel physically move snow. Salt and sand work differently: they are commonly spread during winter weather to treat snow and ice or improve traction. That broader winter-maintenance meaning makes this group a potential red herring.
Purple — DOCTORS IN POP CULTURE
NO, OCTOPUS, PEPPER, WHO
Add “Doctor” to each word: Doctor No, Doctor Octopus, Doctor Pepper, and Doctor Who. This is the most approachable group once you notice that NO, PEPPER, and WHO can follow “Doctor”; OCTOPUS completes the set through the Spider-Man villain Doctor Octopus.
Why the puzzle can be tricky
The purple group is likely the strongest entry point. NO, PEPPER, and WHO immediately suggest familiar names beginning with or following “Doctor,” leaving OCTOPUS as the fourth member.
The blue group is less exact at first glance. Salt and sand do not remove snow in the same literal way as a plow or shovel. In winter conditions, however, both are used to deal with snow and ice—salt for melting or treating ice, and sand for traction. Connections often relies on that kind of category breadth.
How Connections works
The New York Times word game presents 16 words and asks players to divide them into four groups of four. The groups have different difficulty levels, commonly represented by yellow, green, blue, and purple. You can make up to four mistakes before the game ends, so identifying a clear group before submitting is usually safer than chasing a possible association.
Want more puzzles?
For readers who prefer solving away from a screen, Puzzle Mania: Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, Minis and More is a related physical book that includes Connections alongside other New York Times-style games. It is a broader puzzle collection, not a verified reprint of the January 21, 2025 grid, and availability may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Connections puzzle was published on Tuesday, January 21?
The matching edition is the January 21, 2025 puzzle, which was Connections game #590. January 21, 2026 was a Wednesday.
Best Value
- Find hundreds of words in an easy to read format - Some words you'll spot easily, but you'll have to search hard for others.
- A wide range of puzzle topics, including movies, actors, sports, cars, and more!
- Variations on the standard word search puzzles are included for extra challenge.
- Answer key in the back of the book.
- Spiral bound, 192 pages.
What were the categories in Connections #590?
The four groups are PUTDOWN; SMALL LIKENESS; USED TO CLEAR SNOW; and DOCTORS IN POP CULTURE.
How many mistakes can you make in Connections?
You can make up to four mistakes in Connections before the game ends.
The Bottom Line
The answers for NYT Connections #590 on January 21, 2025 are: PUTDOWN — BARB, CRACK, DIG, SLIGHT; SMALL LIKENESS — DOLL, FIGURE, MINIATURE, MODEL; USED TO CLEAR SNOW — PLOW, SALT, SAND, SHOVEL; and DOCTORS IN POP CULTURE — NO, OCTOPUS, PEPPER, WHO.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
