The New York Times Connections puzzle has become a daily ritual for many, a satisfying mental workout. But as of May 2026, the most vexing challenges often stem not from straightforward definitions, but from abstract categories. These are the groups that make you pause, squint, and think, “Wait, what ties these together?”
Last updated: May 5, 2026
Most players spend twice the game time they need to on these abstract groups. Here’s why cracking them unlocks a much higher success rate.
Key Takeaways
- Abstract categories in NYT Connections rely on word association, sentiment, or conceptual links, not just dictionary definitions.
- Recognizing a category’s type (e.g., emotional states, common phrases, stylistic similarities) is crucial for solving it.
- Look for words that share a subtle, underlying theme, even if their literal meanings differ significantly.
- Lateral thinking and considering multiple meanings of words are essential for overcoming abstract connections.
- Practice and analyzing past puzzles help build intuition for recurring abstract category patterns.
What Makes a NYT Connections Category ‘Abstract’?
Unlike concrete categories, such as “Types of Fruit” or “Capitals of European Countries,” abstract categories in NYT Connections group words based on less obvious connections. These might include shared emotions, common idioms, similar sounds, or even stylistic similarities in how the words are used.
For instance, a group might contain words like “Gloom,” “Dread,” “Angst,” and “Woe.” The concrete link is obvious: negative emotions. But what about a group like “Sly,” “Cunning,” “Wily,” and “Crafty”? The connection here is about a specific type of cleverness—deceptive or resourceful intelligence—rather than just general smarts.
The challenge lies in shifting your mindset from literal definitions to conceptual or associative thinking. This requires a different kind of wordplay than many other puzzles.
Decoding the Nuances: Types of Abstract Categories
Understanding the common types of abstract categories can significantly speed up your solving process. As of 2026, here are some of the recurring patterns you’ll encounter:
- Emotional States/Sentiments: Words that evoke similar feelings, like “Joy,” “Ecstasy,” “Bliss,” “Delight” (positive emotions) or “Despair,” “Sorrow,” “Misery,” “Grief” (negative emotions).
- Common Phrases/Idioms: Groups of words that frequently appear together in set phrases, such as “Break the ice,” “Kick off,” “Get going,” “Start.” (All relate to beginning something).
- Stylistic Similarities: Words that share a similar tone or style, perhaps formal, informal, archaic, or even slang. For example, “Perchance,” “Hitherto,” “Forsooth,” “Anon” (archaic language).
- Abstract Concepts: Words that represent intangible ideas or qualities, like “Freedom,” “Liberty,” “Autonomy,” “Sovereignty.”
- Figurative Language: Words used metaphorically or symbolically. A group might include words that all represent ‘obstacles’ or ‘challenges’ in a figurative sense.
The key is to look beyond the dictionary definition and consider how these words feel or are used in context.
Practical Strategies for Tackling Abstract Connections
When faced with a grid that seems to defy easy categorization, employ these strategies:
1. Perform a “Word Scan” for Shared Themes
Before diving into specific word pairings, scan all 16 words. Are there any words that immediately bring to mind a particular mood, a common saying, or a specific area of knowledge?
For instance, if you see “Chip,” “Dip,” “Salsa,” and “Guac,” the concrete category “Party Snacks” is likely. But if you see “Chip,” “Crack,” “Break,” and “Shatter,” the abstract connection is likely “Ways to Damage Something” or “Forms of Ruin.” This requires thinking about the action or result rather than just the noun.
2. Consider Multiple Meanings (Polysemy)
Many words have multiple meanings. The puzzle designers often exploit this. If you see “Bank,” “River,” “Money,” and “Edge,” are we talking about financial institutions, natural features, or something else entirely? The solution might be a group based on one specific meaning of “Bank” (e.g., river bank) and the other words relate to that context.
A group like “Spring,” “Fall,” “Summer,” “Winter” is concrete (seasons). But “Spring,” “Coil,” “Bounce,” “Leap” could represent an abstract category of things that move by recoiling or bouncing.
3. Embrace Lateral Thinking
Abstract categories often require you to think sideways. Instead of looking for what words are, consider what they do, what they sound like, or what they represent. This is where creativity plays a huge role.
Let’s say the words are “Blue,” “Green,” “Red,” and “Yellow.” A common category might be “Colors.” But what if the grid also contains “Sky,” “Grass,” “Apple,” and “Sun”? The puzzle might be cleverly hiding a category of colors associated with these natural objects, forcing you to make a more nuanced connection than just “colors.” This is a classic tactic to trick players into making the obvious (and wrong) first guess.
4. Use the “Process of Elimination” Wisely
When you find a potential concrete group (e.g., “Apple,” “Banana,” “Orange,” “Grape” for “Fruits”), make your selection. If it’s correct, great! If it’s wrong, you’ve learned something. The words you selected might now be eliminated from other potential groups. If “Apple” was part of a wrong guess, it can’t be part of another category. This process helps narrow down possibilities for those trickier abstract connections.
5. Test Your Assumptions
Don’t be afraid to submit a group you suspect is abstract, even if you’re not 100% sure. The game allows for four incorrect guesses. Sometimes, submitting a potential group is the quickest way to confirm or deny your hypothesis, especially when dealing with subtle word associations.
6. Look for Synonyms and Related Concepts
If words don’t seem to fit together literally, consider their synonyms or closely related concepts. For example, if you see “Brave,” “Bold,” and “Daring,” you might guess “Courageous.” If the fourth word is “Fearless,” you’ve found your abstract category: qualities of bravery.
Real-World Examples of Abstract Categories
To solidify these concepts, let’s look at some hypothetical, yet realistic, abstract categories you might find:
Category 1: Things That Can Be “Stretched”
- Words: “Rubber,” “Elastic,” “Dough,” “Truth”
Here, “Rubber,” “Elastic,” and “Dough” are literal. “Truth” is abstract, referring to the idea of stretching the truth, making it more flexible or less precise. This group relies on a figurative meaning.
Category 2: Sounds of Disapproval
- Words: “Hiss,” “Boo,” “Grumble,” “Tut”
These words all represent sounds people make to express displeasure or disapproval, even though the sounds themselves are quite different.
Category 3: Words Associated with “Luck”
- Words: “Fortunate,” “Serendipitous,” “Chance,” “Fluke”
This group captures words related to good fortune, often implying it was due to luck rather than skill. “Chance” and “Fluke” are particularly abstract in this context.
Category 4: “Fill-in-the-Blank” Starters
- Words: “Fill in the blank,” “___ out,” “___ up,” “___ over”
This category plays on common grammatical structures or phrasal verbs where these words often serve as connectors or modifiers. For instance, “fill out a form,” “fill up the tank,” “fill over the brim.” The abstract link is their function in expanding or completing phrases.
According to the New York Times Games team’s general approach (as discussed in various interviews and analyses as of 2026), they aim for puzzles that are solvable with a bit of thought and lateral thinking, rather than pure obscurity. The abstract categories are designed to be a rewarding challenge, not an impossible barrier.
Common Mistakes When Solving Abstract Categories
Even seasoned players can stumble. Here are common pitfalls:
- Sticking to the First Obvious Meaning: If a word has multiple meanings, don’t assume the most common one is always the answer.
- Overthinking Simple Connections: Sometimes, a group might seem abstract, but it’s just a slightly less common concrete category. Don’t dismiss simpler ideas too quickly.
- Not Considering Word Form: The puzzle might group verbs, nouns, or adjectives. Ensure you’re comparing like with like where appropriate, or deliberately looking for abstract links across forms.
- Ignoring the Grid as a Whole: The other potential categories can provide vital clues. If you’ve solved three concrete groups, the remaining words are more likely to form an abstract one.
Tips for Improving Your Abstract Category Skills
Mastering abstract categories is a skill that develops with practice. Here are some ways to hone it:
- Play Regularly: The more you play, the more patterns you’ll recognize. The NYT Connections game is a fantastic training ground.
- Review Past Puzzles: If you get stuck, look up the solutions. Analyze why the abstract categories worked. What was the underlying link? This builds your intuition.
- Read Widely: Exposure to diverse language, idioms, and concepts in books, articles, and even other word games can broaden your associative thinking.
- Practice Word Association Games: Activities like Codenames or even simple brainstorming exercises can help you think more flexibly about word relationships.
- Focus on Nuance: Pay attention to the subtle differences in meaning between synonyms. This is often where abstract categories are hidden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an abstract category in NYT Connections?
An abstract category in NYT Connections groups words based on a shared concept, sentiment, common phrase, or stylistic similarity, rather than a straightforward, literal definition.
How many abstract categories are usually in a NYT Connections puzzle?
Typically, one or two of the four categories in a NYT Connections puzzle will be abstract, designed to be the most challenging part of the game.
What’s the best strategy for abstract categories?
Employ lateral thinking, consider multiple word meanings, look for common phrases, and use the process of elimination to identify subtle thematic links.
Are abstract categories always the hardest?
Yes, abstract categories are generally considered the most difficult because they require a deeper level of word association and conceptual understanding beyond simple definitions.
Can I guess abstract categories?
Yes, you can guess. The game allows four incorrect guesses before it locks you out, so strategically testing your hypotheses is a valid part of the solving process.
How can I get better at spotting abstract connections?
Regularly playing NYT Connections, reviewing solutions, and practicing word association games are excellent ways to improve your ability to recognize these subtle links.
Ultimately, cracking abstract categories in NYT Connections is about embracing the playful side of language. It’s about recognizing that words can connect not just by what they are, but by what they evoke, what they imply, and how they feel. With a bit of practice and the strategies outlined here, you’ll find yourself not just solving these tricky groups, but anticipating them.
Last reviewed: May 2026. Information current as of publication; pricing and product details may change.
