Connections Puzzle Answers October 21, 2024 - Solve the NYT Brain Teaser!

Crack the Code! Hints and Answers for Today's Connections puzzle (October 21, 2024)

Today's Connections Puzzle: Need a Little Help? We Got You!

That daily Connections puzzle is a brain-teaser, right? Some days those words are easy; but other times, those sneaky little words are absolutely stumping you. Some days it is straightforward. Some days, it's a total head-scratcher! Today is one of those days which really tests those brainpower limits! If you're stuck, we've got your back!

This article includes those hints; the step-by-step solutions; which are intended to guide those really stumped players to that perfect ending and to discover a complete solution; including those sometimes tricky words. These categories were tricky, especially for someone (me) unfamiliar with MUNG beans. But no worries! The following sections explain exactly how that tricky five-by-five crossword ended!

Also Read: Connections Puzzle Answers & Hints: Solve Puzzle #497 (October 21, 2024)

Unlocking the Connections Categories: Hints to Guide You

Struggling to find those connections between these seemingly random words? These might just be why these seemed particularly difficult! Some of these are seriously obscure; one was incredibly new to me, never encountered in this particular context; completely throwing me off-kilter and off guard and I truly needed more time thinking about it!

Below is the list of categories for you to consider: Using them often is enough to help fully solve that entire puzzle. Go and Grab them!

KINDS OF BEANS
ATTRACT
AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFTER POSITIONS
___POOL

If you still struggle, check the next section, because everything is going to be explained there, word by word!

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The Answers Unveiled: A Step-by-Step Solution

KINDS OF BEANS

This one was surprisingly tricky for me! Initially I thought this was too easy! Yet this completely tested that bean knowledge! I know those basic beans – KIDNEY, NAVY, and PINTO —but MUNG beans were new. But, eventually the connection hit, even if this took time; which created that 'ah-ha!' moment of puzzle mastery. All those words, as surprisingly simple and unassuming as these appeared; really highlighted how important basic and sometimes-forgotten things could suddenly have incredible meaning and importance!

ATTRACT

A horse in Connections Categories October 21 Image

DRAW, GRAB, HOOK, and PULL all meant "attract," to me – a word meaning pull and draw both seems accurate. DRAW seemed questionable, creating that small pause before finally understanding what it means here. There's this kind of weird ambiguity! But this totally is another 'ah-ha!' moment after discovering how such seemingly ambiguous terms might possibly create that feeling of triumph once they suddenly connect, as unexpected as this ultimately is! Those other alternatives, which felt extremely close (especially "drive" and “reverse”) helped further showcase what actually connects them. If a person doesn’t normally consider things in this way it highlights just why this can become problematic for new players! Considering many players have different approaches, it highlights some issues!

AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFTER POSITIONS

This one’s a daily routine— DRIVE, NEUTRAL, and REVERSE. But I got completely stuck finding that fourth word— LOW. Why? My prior two vehicles lacked a "LOW" setting! A good reminder of just how often our own bias affects how we recognize these words. This little element became hilarious – because I didn’t get that right away. This made it the most difficult word for me, personally – despite seeming straightforward – this completely and unexpectedly failed my recognition! Learning is always great! This created another huge 'ah-ha!' moment of solving this challenging problem; really demonstrating how some deeply held biases can unexpectedly interfere in that problem-solving procedure.

___POOL

I actually got this immediately! I think that’s what happened here: it was easier to see those obvious solutions in “WHIRLPOOL” rather than those far-removed “carpool” (for which a clue became necessary for immediate recollection)! It makes perfect sense; these categories’ arrangement matters a lot!

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More Puzzles?

After tackling Connections; check out the amazing NYT's Letter Boxed puzzle, Worldle (guessing countries), the crazy Password Game, or the insanely difficult Absurdle!

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Conclusion: Mastering Connections: A Triumph of Deduction

A horse in Connections Answers October 21 Image

This day’s Connections was certainly tricky, those words weren't always immediately easy! These unexpectedly complicated word puzzles highlight that even seemingly familiar and straightforward situations require a new kind of problem-solving procedure! Using logic, previous knowledge; and sometimes, remembering basic, trivial things often provides that key breakthrough that’s needed. Sometimes; that breakthrough arrives because of unexpectedly useful additional outside material which impacts how people see these situations. The immense and seemingly accidental inclusion of specific ideas which aren't obvious; really make these extremely fun puzzles. They add an additional element – the unexpectedly creative approaches necessary! These creative moments might not appear initially important, yet that is exactly why this puzzle is both excellent and creative. Those are the times when it’s most satisfying. Those 'ah-ha!' moments make everything entirely worthwhile.