New York Times Connections Hints Today, Oct. 21, #498

October 21’s puzzle can be difficult, but with our New York Times Connections hints today, you’ll be able to solve it in no time at all. In this guide, we’ll give you some hints, some even more hints, and the straight up answers to the daily puzzle.

The New York Times has previously made puzzle games such as Wordle and, although it looks simpler in comparison, Connections can get quite confusing, especially with its peculiar use of unconventional word meanings.

Understanding Connections is simple: you are given 16 words and 4 chances to mess up. Your objective is to ‘connect‘ these 16 words by grouping them into groups of 4 based on similar word meanings and/or themes. What’s great about it is that it you can really just pick up and play right off the bat.

October 21’s word choices are interesting, to say the least. If you’re having trouble figuring out today’s puzzle, gradually scroll on down, and you’ll get basic tips, some more direct hints, and the solution to your conundrum.

NYT Connections Words for October 21

Let’s get started. Here are the 16 words we’ll be working with today:

GRAB	CAR	LOW	PINTO
KIDNEY	WHIRL	DRAW	PULL
LIVER	NEUTRAL	DEAD	REVERSE
HOOK	NAVY	DRIVE	MUNG

New York Times Connections Hints Today

In Connections, each group of words is color coded, these being yellow, green, blue, and purple. Here are some hints for today:

• Yellow: Plant-based edibles. Great for protein.
• Green: Words that can be categorized as getting a hold of something.
• Blue: All related to a car’s different active modes.
• Purple: Think of the place where most would swim! Try putting that word at the end of some of the given words.

Some More Hints for the Connections Puzzle Today

If you’re still having trouble figuring out the answers, here are some more hints that can help you get closer to the solution for today:

• Additional Hint 1: This edible protein’s name is the same as a kids show starring Rowan Atkinson.
• Additional Hint 2: All these words mean being able to bring something in or getting something’s attention, or just getting a hold of something.
• Additional Hint 3: Related to a part of something usually associated with automatic cars.
• Additional Hint 4: Swimming ‘blank‘. Add ‘blank‘ to the end of these 4 words to change their meanings.

If you still haven’t got it, let’s try making it a slight bit easier.

The Groups for Today’s NY Times Connections

NY Times Connections can get confusing. If you still haven’t figured it out, perhaps knowing the group names will help. Here they are:

• Kinds Of Beans
• Attract
• Table Tennis Needs
• ___Pool

The New York Times Connections Answers for October 21

If you still couldn’t figure it out, no worries. Here is the solution for today’s Connections puzzle.

• Kinds Of Beans: Kidney, Mung, Navy, Pinto
• Attract: Draw, Grab, Hook, Pull
• Automatic Gear Shifter Positions: Drive, Low, Neutral, Reverse
• ___Pool: Car, Dead, Liver, Whirl

The Attract one was probably the simplest of the bunch. There wasn’t too much confusing about it. Figuring out that Kidney was related to Beans was a bit off-putting, but if you can find the connection, the rest of that category becomes easy. The same can be said for the Car Gears category. Once you see the pattern, it’s simple.

By far, one of the most confusing parts of today’s New York Times was, of course, figuring out that adding ‘Pool‘ to the end of some words changes their meaning. At first glance, the words look like they have absolutely no connection with one another.

You probably thought Liver could go with Kidney, and that Car could go in the Gears category. Also, Deadpool being here is a first for the game.

Regardless, that’s what makes Connections fun. Its weird combinations of words make for a really engaging time especially when played with friends or family all trying to figure it out at the same time.

Today’s puzzle was a tricky one. Pat yourself on the back if you got it. Remember, there’s always tomorrow’s game to look out for, and if you haven’t already, be sure to check out October 20’s puzzle if you want to play through the archives.

Did you get the Connections answers today? Which group and words were the most confusing for you? Let us know in the comment