Are you staring at sixteen words on your screen, convinced that “Boxer” and “Judge” have absolutely nothing in common? You aren’t alone. The NYT Connections hints January 22 puzzle is a masterclass in misdirection, designed to trip up even the most seasoned word-game veterans.
If you’re scrambling to save your streak or just want a gentle nudge in the right direction without spoiling the whole game, you’ve landed in the right place. We break down today’s puzzle (Puzzle #591) with gradual hints, semantic clues, and finally, the complete solution.
Let’s unravel the knot Wyna Liu has tied for us today.
Table of Contents
Today’s Connections Hints (January 22)
Before we hand over the answers, let’s try to spark that “Aha!” moment with some strategic nudges. The key to solving the NYT Connections hints January 22 lies in ignoring the obvious red herrings and looking for the subtler relationships between entities.
Yellow Group Hint
Theme: Higher Learning This category is arguably the most straightforward today. Think about places or formats where you might sit and listen to an expert—or engage in an academic debate. If you’ve ever been to university, these words will feel very familiar.
- Semantic Clue: Educational settings and class formats.
Green Group Hint
Theme: Moving Earth If you were construction work or looking for buried treasure, you’d likely create one of these. These words all describe a depression in the ground, but they vary by size and purpose.
- Semantic Clue: Excavation results.
Blue Group Hint
Theme: Dressing the Part This is the trickiest category for many today. At first glance, the people in this group seem to have nothing in common—one is in a courtroom, another in a ring, and another in a fantasy novel. But ask yourself: What are they wearing?
- Semantic Clue: Loose-fitting ceremonial or professional garments.
Purple Group Hint
Theme: Two-Word Phrases ending in “___” As is tradition, the Purple group relies on word association rather than a shared definition. All four words can be placed before a specific two-letter direction word to form common idioms or phrases.
- Semantic Clue: “____ Up.”
Featured Snippet: What are the NYT Connections Answers for January 22?
If you are down to your last life or just want to confirm your suspicions, here are the official groups and answers for the NYT Connections hints January 22 puzzle.
Yellow Group: Types of Academic Courses
- Discussion
- Lab
- Lecture
- Seminar
Green Group: Results of Some Digging
- Ditch
- Hole
- Pit
- Trench
Blue Group: Ones Wearing Robes
- Boxer
- Judge
- Monk
- Wizard
Purple Group: ____ Up
- Batter (Batter Up)
- Bottoms (Bottoms Up)
- Chin (Chin Up)
- Lawyer (Lawyer Up)
Puzzle Analysis: Why Today’s Connections Was Tricky
The January 22 NYT Connections puzzle (No. 591) is a perfect example of semantic overlap—where words fit multiple contexts but only one valid grouping.
The “Boxer” Trap
The word “Boxer” was the primary red herring today. Most players immediately associate it with:
- Dogs: (Are there other dog breeds on the board?)
- Sports: (Are there other athletes?)
- Underwear: (Linking to “Bottoms”?)
However, placing “Boxer” in the Blue Group (Ones Wearing Robes) requires a visual association that many skip. We often picture boxers in shorts and gloves, forgetting the iconic silk robe worn during the ring walk.
The “Lawyer” Misdirection
“Lawyer” naturally pairs with “Judge” (from the Blue group), creating a strong semantic field related to the courtroom. This is a classic “cross-linking” trap. To solve the Purple group, you had to abandon the definition of a lawyer and focus purely on the linguistic phrase “Lawyer Up.”
Academic Synonyms
The Yellow group (Discussion, Lab, Lecture, Seminar) was a tight synonym cluster. Unlike other days where the Yellow group is loose, these are all distinct types of university courses, making it a high-confidence starting point for most players.
Strategies to Master NYT Connections
Improving your win rate isn’t just about vocabulary; it’s about strategy. Here is how to approach puzzles like the NYT Connections hints January 22 in the future.
1. Shuffle the Board Immediately
Our brains are wired to find patterns in proximity. If “Lawyer” and “Judge” are sitting next to each other, you will struggle to see them apart. Hit the Shuffle button to break visual bias.
2. Identify the “One-Away” Words
If you guess a group and get the “One Away” message, stop immediately. Do not brute-force the remaining options. Look for a fifth word that fits the category (the “imposter”) and try to find a different home for it. For example, if you grouped “Hole, Pit, Trench, and Lab,” you might think they are all “places,” but “Lab” clearly belongs to the academic set.
3. Solve Purple Last (Usually)
The Purple category often involves “fill-in-the-blank” wordplay (like today’s “____ Up”). These are the hardest to spot until you have cleared the board of the definition-based groups (Yellow and Green).
Conclusion:
The NYT Connections hints January 22 puzzle was a fun mix of academic nostalgia and visual wordplay. By separating the “Robes” from the “Courtroom,” you could navigate the tricky Blue and Purple tiers to keep your streak alive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the hardest group in the January 22 Connections?
Statistically, the Blue Group (Ones Wearing Robes) was the stumbling block for many players today due to the visual obscurity of a Boxer’s robe and the strong temptation to group “Judge” with “Lawyer.”
Does the order of rows matter in NYT Connections?
No. While the game reveals colors in a specific order (Yellow is easiest, Purple is hardest), you can solve the groups in any order you choose.
How do I play previous NYT Connections puzzles?
Currently, the New York Times Games app does not offer an official archive for Connections, unlike the Crossword. However, you can find third-party archives or use our to review past hints and strategies.
When does the NYT Connections puzzle reset?
The puzzle resets daily at midnight local time. If you want to be the first to solve the NYT Connections hints January 22, make sure to refresh your app right as the clock turns.
