NYT Connections #574 was published on Sunday, January 5, 2025. This historical puzzle uses 16 words that can be sorted into four groups of four. If you are solving it from the Connections archive, start with the hints below and open the answers only when you are ready for spoilers.
Connections #574 word list
The verified grid contained these 16 entries:
STOP, GROSS, MAKE, HOME, YIELD, VOLUME, SLOW, SNARE, QUIET, KETTLE, NET, MUTE, EAR, SLEEPY, OIL, CALM
As in every Connections game, the four categories are presented in difficulty order: yellow, green, blue, then purple. The yellow group is usually the most direct; purple tends to depend on wordplay or a less obvious connection.
Hints for Sunday, January 5
These clues become more specific without giving away the individual words:
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- CARD GAMES FOR FAMILIES: The award-winning SET party game has been loved for years by fans of adult card games, kids card games, and family card games
- EASY TO LEARN GAME: Race to make the most SETs by matching colors, shapes, shadings, or number of shapes on the cards. They have to be all the same or all different
- FAMILY GAMES FOR KIDS AND ADULTS: The game appeals to a wide age range. Add it to your go-to children’s games, card games for teens, and board games for family night
- TRAVEL SIZE GAMES: It’s one of the best road trip activities for kids. Choose it when looking for camping games, beach games, and group games for a party
- FAMILY CARD GAMES MAKE GREAT TEEN GIFTS: The SET family card game makes a great gift for teens. Give it as a family night gift basket, or as stocking stuffers for kids and teens
| Color | Hint |
|---|---|
| Yellow | Totally chill |
| Green | Get paid |
| Blue | TV buttons |
| Purple | “Bang the …” |
Answers for NYT Connections #574
Yellow: HARDLY BUSTLING
CALM, QUIET, SLEEPY, SLOW
Each word describes a place, situation, or activity with little movement or excitement. “Sleepy” and “slow” are especially useful anchors here, while “calm” and “quiet” complete the group.
Green: EARN
GROSS, MAKE, NET, YIELD
These words can relate to earning money or producing income. You can gross or make an amount, net an amount after deductions, or have an investment yield income.
Blue: REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS
HOME, MUTE, STOP, VOLUME
These are familiar buttons or controls on a television remote. Home returns to the main screen, mute silences the sound, stop halts playback, and volume adjusts the audio level.
Rank #2
- Follow the clues: Arrange all nine suspect tiles in a 3x3 grid using the case card's directional clues. When every clue fits, the center tile reveals the Prime Suspect.
- 45 cases, three levels: Solve 15 beginner, 15 intermediate and 15 expert cases. Choose the difficulty that suits you and check your solution on the back of the case card.
- Solo or solve together: Play at your own pace, or talk through the clues with family or friends. This Original edition includes one tile set for one puzzle at a time.
- Compact, screen-free play: Keep a hands-on deduction challenge ready for travel, quiet afternoons or family puzzle time. The cards and tiles pack into the included box.
- Inside the Original edition: Includes 45 case cards, one set of nine suspect tiles and directions. Each Solo edition has its own set of 45 cases. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Purple: WORDS BEFORE “DRUM”
EAR, KETTLE, OIL, SNARE
Put drum after each word to make a phrase: eardrum, kettle drum, oil drum, and snare drum.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The main trap in this puzzle
EAR is designed to distract. It can seem related to HOME, MUTE, and VOLUME because those words suggest television audio and listening. However, the blue category is not body parts or sound-related terms; it is specifically remote-control functions. EAR belongs in purple because of eardrum.
A reliable way through the board is to lock in the obvious remote controls only after checking whether every candidate is a function. Once HOME, MUTE, STOP, and VOLUME are separated, the drum compounds make the remaining pattern much easier to see.
Rank #3
- Card Games brings back the joy of shuffling, dealing, and laughing together, reminding you of cozy nights, friendly rivalries, and memories made around the table
- 1,000 Pc Large: This puzzle features larger, simple to pick up pieces that are also easier to see, creating a fun activity for family and friends.
- Artist: Charlie Girard captures decades of classic card games with a playful, nostalgic collage style that celebrates timeless family favorites and game night icons
- USA: We take pride in our puzzles so all of them are manufactured in America. They also come with the Happiness Guarantee. We will replace your puzzle for free if you are not happy.
- Quality: White Mountain is known for our precision cutting technique so each piece fits just right. Our puzzles measure 24”x30” when finished. Visit our store page to see a wide variety of puzzles.
How to play the archived puzzle
- Open nytimes.com/crosswords.
- Open the site navigation menu and choose Connections archive.
- Find the January 5, 2025 puzzle, listed as game #574.
- Select four words, then choose Submit. You have up to four incorrect guesses before the game ends.
The Connections archive is available to All Access and Games Subscribers and includes puzzles dating back to June 12, 2023. Archived plays affect statistics, but they do not change a current or maximum streak.
A note about the word “CHECK”
Some online lists incorrectly add CHECK to this puzzle, creating a 17-word grid. That is an error. Connections boards contain 16 entries, and the verified #574 list does not include it.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
What happens after solving?
After you submit the final guess, the statistics page appears and includes Share Your Results. If you need to report a problem or comment on the game, open the Question Mark icon during play and select Feedback.
Rank #4
- 100 BRAIN TEASERS. Challenge your brain with these family-friendly logic and lateral-thinking puzzles.
- POCKET-SIZED AND PACKED WITH FUN. Check out the anagram and open the four doors to unveil the colourful question card. Make a guess and then slide to reveal the answer.
- PERFECT PRESENT OR STOCKING STUFFER for kids who love a challenge. Can be played alone but friends and family usually want a guess too! Age 7 plus.
- HANDY TRAVEL ACTIVITY. Fits neatly into your pocket or bag. Hours of screen-free entertainment - play in the back of the car, in restaurants, planes and trains.
- BOOST YOUR BRAIN. 100 PICS flash card games help improve lateral thinking, math, logic and memory. Recommended by The Good Toy Guide.
FAQ
What was the answer to NYT Connections on January 5, 2025?
Game #574 had four groups: HARDLY BUSTLING — CALM, QUIET, SLEEPY, SLOW; EARN — GROSS, MAKE, NET, YIELD; REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS — HOME, MUTE, STOP, VOLUME; and WORDS BEFORE “DRUM” — EAR, KETTLE, OIL, SNARE.
What was the purple category in Connections #574?
The purple category was WORDS BEFORE “DRUM”: EAR, KETTLE, OIL, and SNARE. They form eardrum, kettle drum, oil drum, and snare drum.
Why does EAR belong with the purple answers?
EAR belongs in purple because it forms “eardrum.” Although it may look connected to HOME, MUTE, and VOLUME, those words are the blue group of remote-control functions.
Best Value
- Each correct matchup creates a fun-filled picture from which children may learn how to spell a word
- For ages 3 and above
- Sets of three
Was CHECK part of the January 5 Connections puzzle?
No. CHECK was mistakenly included in some summaries, but the verified #574 board had 16 words and did not contain CHECK.
The Bottom Line
NYT Connections #574 was built around a deceptively familiar set of words: quiet surroundings, ways to describe income, TV remote controls, and compounds ending in “drum.” The key distinction is placing EAR with the drum words rather than with the remote-control terms.
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.
