Spoilers ahead: This guide covers the historical NYT Connections puzzle for Monday, January 15, 2024, game #218. Hints come first; the category names and answers follow.
Hints for Connections #218
- On the campaign trail.
- Safety dance.
- A dose of reality.
- Two in a pod.
In broader terms, think politics, protective measures, medicine, and something green. Connections asks players to sort sixteen words into four groups of four; the links may be straightforward or depend on wordplay and familiar phrases.
Answers for January 15, 2024
Stop here if you want to solve the grid before seeing the category names and words.
Yellow: List of candidates
BALLOT, ROSTER, SLATE, TICKET
Each word can refer to a list of candidates, especially in an election context.
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Green: Protective barrier
BUFFER, CUSHION, PAD, SHIELD
Each can describe something that protects by absorbing, blocking, or separating.
Blue: Medicine formats
CAPSULE, CREAM, SYRUP, TABLET
These are forms in which medicine may be supplied.
Purple: Pea ____
COAT, GREEN, POD, SOUP
Add “pea” before each word to make the familiar phrases “pea coat,” “pea green,” “pea pod,” and “pea soup.”
Rank #2
Why the yellow label is “List of candidates”
Tom’s Guide labels the yellow group “List of candidates,” which fits BALLOT, ROSTER, SLATE, and TICKET. GameLeap gives the same four words but labels the group “List of candies”; that label conflicts with the words and the campaign-trail hint, so “List of candidates” is the supported solution.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How difficult was puzzle #218?
Tom’s Guide reported a 3.3-out-of-5 difficulty rating from the Connections Companion. That is the rating reported for this puzzle by that guide, not a current difficulty score.
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