The New York Times’s daily Connections puzzle has become a beloved ritual for puzzle enthusiasts and word game aficionados. On June 21, players were treated to another engaging and challenging brain teaser.
If you’re stuck or just curious about the nuances of today’s puzzle, here are some subtle hints to help you solve today’s connections.
Also read: How to play NYT Connections? Tips and Tricks
Today’s words
For those new to the Connections puzzle, here’s a brief overview. The goal is to find groups of four items that share something in common from a list of sixteen words or phrases. It’s a test of both vocabulary and lateral thinking, as the connections can sometimes be quite straightforward but are often cleverly disguised. Today’s 16 words are:
- CINDERELLA
- TAILGATE
- GREEN LIGHT
- RUMPELSTILTSKIN
- FERRIS WHEEL
- BUMPER-TO-BUMPER
- DAVID-AND-GOLIATH
- THUMS-UP
- BUTTERMILK
- RAGS-TO-RICHES
- MERRY-GO-ROUND
- CLEARANCE
- UNDERDOG
- TILT-A-WHIRL
- GO-AHEAD
- ROLLER COASTER
Also read: NYT Connections Hint: June 20
Connections hint for today (June 21st, 2024)
Without giving away the answers, here’s a nudge in the right direction for today’s puzzle:
- Yellow group: This category is all about the heart-pounding rides you’d find at an amusement park.
- Green group: This category deals with words related to giving approval or a thumbs-up.
- Blue group: This category focuses on different types of narratives where the underdog comes out on top in a surprising way.
- Purple group: Think about the back end of things, literally. This category involves synonyms for the word ‘rear end’.
SPOILER ALERT!
Connections categories for today (June 21st, 2024)
The NYT Connections uses four categories of words with a common theme. Here’s a breakdown of today’s Connections categories:
- Yellow category: AMUSEMENT PARK RIDES
- Green category: APPROVAL
- Blue category: TYPES OF COME-FROM-BEHIND STORIES
- Purple category: BEGINNING WITH SYNONYMS FOR REAR END
SPOILER ALERT!
NYT Connections answers for June 21st
If you’d rather skip the deduction process and see the solutions straightaway, here they are:
- Yellow group: FERRIS WHEEL, MERRY-GO-ROUND, ROLLER COASTER, TILT-A-WHIRL
- Green group: CLEARANCE, GO-AHEAD, GREEN LIGHT, THUMBS-UP
- Blue group: CINDERELLA, DAVID-AND-GOLIATH, RAGS-TO-RICHES, UNDERDOG
- Purple group: BUMPER-TO-BUMPER, BUTTERMILK, RUMPELSTILTSKIN, TAILGATE

NYT Connections is not only a test of vocabulary but also of one’s ability to see hidden relationships between words. The hint for June 21, focusing on geographical features, should help puzzle enthusiasts make significant progress. Remember, the key is to think broadly and creatively about how words can be connected.
Also read: NYT Connections Hint: June 19