Not the Connections game you’re looking for? Here are the hints and solution for Wednesday’s game and an explanation of the answers .

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Hey there, Connectors! I hope you’ve had a great week so far!

With the World Cup round of 16 over, Canada and Egypt join Scotland on the sidelines, and all three of the teams I was supporting are out. At the point, I mostly don’t mind which team wins it. I suppose I’d like it to be France, since I have a small wager on them (please don’t gamble!).

On the other side of the bracket, I think the idea of a Norway-Argentina semi-final would be neat. I’d like to see that. Norway-Switzerland would be pretty decent too, I think! Either of those works for me.

Today’s NYT Connections hints and answers for Thursday, July 9 are coming right up. Let’s get rolling!

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Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase

Connections is a free daily New York Times game that challenges you to arrange a grid of 16 words, phrases or symbols into four groups. The categories can involve anything from simple synonyms and cultural references to words that start with homonyms for birds.

There’s only one correct answer. Connections often features red herrings and other tricks like wordplay. You can make three mistakes, but a fourth spells game over and the end of your current streak!

The categories are color coded. Yellow is supposed to be the easiest to figure out, followed by green, blue and then purple. But it’s all relative as Connections tests your knowledge and deductive reasoning skills.

You can track your stats over time and earn badges for achievements like lengthy streaks or achieving a reverse rainbow. This involves submitting the purple category first, followed by blue, green and yellow. I’m here to help players figure out which is which.

You can play Connections on the NYT website or NYT Games app. NYT subscribers can access the full archive of more than 1,100 games of Connections . Each day’s game goes live at midnight local time.

Today’s NYT Connections Word List

After today’s Connections word list, I’ll give you a hint for each category. After that, I’ll reveal one word that goes into each group. Then I’ll reveal the categories, followed by the full answers.

  • THROW
  • VIRGIN
  • SPIN
  • PRAYER
  • NA
  • ROLLING STONE
  • PERSIAN
  • FIREBIRD
  • G6
  • SHAG
  • ZERO-PROOF
  • GRAND PRIX
  • BILLBOARD
  • TRANS AM
  • PITCHFORK
  • SPIRIT-FREE

A Hint For Today’s Connections Groups

The hints for today’s Connections categories are:

  • 🟨 Yellow group — they help keep folks on the wagon
  • 🟩 Green group — where big names are featured alongside up-and-comers
  • 🟦 Blue group — these might leave you floored
  • 🟪 Purple group — deluxe, torrent and vibe would slot in here

One Answer For Each Connections Group

Be warned: we’re starting to get into spoiler territory.

Let’s take a look at one answer for each group.

  • 🟨 Yellow group — NA
  • 🟩 Green group — SPIN
  • 🟦 Blue group — THROW
  • 🟪 Purple group — G6

Today’s Connections Categories

Today’s Connections groups are...

  • 🟨 Yellow group — non-alcoholic designators
  • 🟩 Green group — music publications
  • 🟦 Blue group — kinds of rugs
  • 🟪 Purple group — Pontiac models

What Is The Answer For Connections Today?

Spoiler alert! Don’t scroll any further down the page until you’re ready to find out today’s Connections answers.

This is your last chance to look away.

This is your final warning!

Today’s Connections answers are...

  • 🟨 Yellow group — non-alcoholic designators (NA, SPIRIT-FREE, VIRGIN, ZERO-PROOF)
  • 🟩 Green group — music publications (BILLBOARD, PITCHFORK, ROLLING STONE, SPIN)
  • 🟦 Blue group — kinds of rugs (PERSIAN, PRAYER, SHAG, THROW)
  • 🟪 Purple group — Pontiac models (FIREBIRD, G6, GRAND PRIX, TRANS AM)

VIRGIN and PRAYER made me think of last words in Madonna song titles, but I didn’t immediately see what else might work. SPIRIT-FREE and ZERO-PROOF took me in a different direction, though. I was able to get the yellows early doors after realizing NA must mean “non-alcoholic.”

I tried the music mags next. Didn't love that, since we've definitely had similar groups more than once in the past.

I then saw what had to be types of rugs, so I submitted what I thought were going to be types of planes. Nope! I was a bit off on the purple category. The rugs wrapped up my 494th win on the spin.

How did you get on this time? Here's my grid:

Be sure to check my blog tomorrow for hints and the answer for tomorrow’s game of Connections if you need them.

P.S. Pace offer up melodic punk rock straight out of Montreal. This sounds like the kind of music I grew up listening to and I dig it. “Tribute” (which features Roxanne Izzo) is maybe my favorite song of theirs I’ve head so far:

Have a great day! Stay hydrated! Be kind to yourself and each other! Call someone you love!

Please follow my blog for more NYT Connections hints and help with other word games, and even some video game news, insights and analysis. I’d really appreciate that as it helps me out. If you share this column with others who play Connections, that would be lovely too. You can also read my weekend editions of this column and more of my writing at my newsletter, Pastimes .