NYT Connections hints, answers, and help for March 26 (#654)

If you've been tackling today's NYT Connections puzzle and found yourself stumped by that tricky purple category, don't worry! We’ve got you covered with hints and answers to help you crack the code.

The Connections puzzle for March 26 has all the hallmarks of a brain-bending challenge, including a particularly tricky purple category that involves some creative word manipulation. But don't fret—we'll guide you through it!

Hints for Today's Connections Groups:

To help you get started, here are some hints for the groups in today's puzzle, ranked from easiest (yellow) to the most challenging (purple):

Yellow group: Think about something you might find in a table setting.

Green group: It’s all about things that go up.

Blue group: These are types of digital storage.

Purple group: Measurement-related terms, with a twist on the word.

Today's Connections Answers:

Here are the answers for today’s puzzle, divided by category:

Yellow group: Parts of a table setting: fork, glass, napkin, plate

Green group: Words related to "increase," specifically with "up": flew, rose, shot, thrust

Blue group: Types of digital storage: card, cloud, disk, drive

Purple group: Units of volume, with a twist on the word: bounce, galleon, pinot, quartz

Quick Tips for Tackling NYT Connections:

Say the words out loud: Sometimes hearing them can help you spot connections that aren't immediately obvious.

Think beyond the obvious connections: The editors love to throw curveballs. Don’t assume words like "Bob" or "Sponge" will always go together just because they’re familiar.

Break down compound words: Identifying similarities in parts of compound words can reveal hidden connections. For example, look for shared roots or prefixes in the words.

Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, these tips should help you get through today's puzzle and beyond. Happy solving!