NYT Drops Hints for September 14 “Connections” Puzzle

Lead: The New York Times today unveiled four concise clues to guide solvers through its Sunday, September 14, “Connections” puzzle, covering entryways, navigation tools, winning synonyms and iconic streets.

Nut Graf: As the popular four-group word-association game challenges players each day, Sunday’s hints aim to jump-start solving by spotlighting key themes-entry points, map elements, terms for excelling and historically significant avenues-ensuring both casual gamers and puzzle aficionados stay on streak.

Key Hints

• Entryways: “Let me in.”
• Map Elements: “Where are we going?”
• Exceeding/Excelling: “You’re a winner!”
• Iconic Thoroughfares: “Pennsylvania Avenue is another one.”

Answers in Descending Order of Difficulty

1. Entryway
   • DOOR, GATE, HATCH, PORTAL
2. Map Features
   • COMPASS, INSET, KEY, SCALE
3. Surpass
   • BEAT, BEST, BETTER, TOP
4. Streets with Symbolic Importance
   • DOWNING, FLEET, MAIN, WALL

Solver Strategies

• Prioritize easy groups: Tackling the “entryway” set first clears four words immediately.
• Use context clues: Recognizing common map components helps identify the second group.
• Leverage synonyms: Words like BEAT and BEST naturally cluster under “surpass.”
• Think iconic addresses: Famous streets unlock the remaining group.

Sunday’s hints and answers keep the Connections game engaging and accessible, preparing puzzle fans for Monday’s new challenge.