If you are having a hard time with today’s Connections brainteaser, chances are you’re not alone. It’s a tough one! That is why Newsweek has clues to help you solve it correctly.

The wildly popular game became a global phenomenon following its release to the public in 2023 off the back of Wordle‘s success. Both word-based games are published daily by The New York Times.

Wyna Liu, a puzzle editor at the NYT who creates the Connections puzzles, told Newsweek last year that she was stunned by its appeal.

“The response has been really incredible and overwhelming, and unexpected,” Liu said. “It’s exciting that something I care very deeply about is resonating with people.”

Keep scrolling for Newsweek‘s hints for puzzle #612, but be careful while scrolling if you don’t want to see spoilers, as the answer will be revealed at the end of this article, too.

How To Play ‘Connections’

If you are new to Connections or simply need a refresh, the rules of play are easy to get the hang of. Users must categorize 16 words into four groups based on a common topic. The category colors are yellow, green, blue and purple—with yellow being the easiest category and purple being the hardest.

For example, in Tuesday’s puzzle, the words “block,” “bolster,” “mat” and “strap” were associated with the blue category titled, “Yoga accessories.”

Once you have decided on the words you would like to use, go ahead and click the “Submit” button. You’ll know whether you’ve gotten a category correct because the terms will flash in the category color and will be removed from the board. If they are incorrect, however, they will remain gray in color and stay on the board.

There is a handy “Shuffle” button too that mixes up the words if you’re feeling stuck.

‘Connections’ #612 Hints and Clues for Wednesday, February 12

Below are Newsweek‘s helpful tips to assist you with Wednesday’s game:

Yellow: Proof that you own something

Green: Theater terms

Blue: Words related to The Simpsons

Purple: Think “shake, rattle and roll”

‘Connections’ #612 Answers for Wednesday, February 12

Yellow Category: DOCUMENTS OF OWNERSHIP

Yellow Words: Certificate, Deed, Receipt, Title

Green Category: BITS IN A VARIETY SHOW

Green Words: Dance, Monologue, Sketch, Song

Blue Category: PROPS FOR CHARACTERS ON “THE SIMPSONS”

Blue Words: Donut, Pacifier, Saxophone, Skateboard

Purple Category: STARTING WITH “SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL”

Purple Words: Android, Rattlesnake, Rollerblade, Shakespeare

Superb job if you solved Wednesday’s game correctly. But don’t stress if you didn’t crack it this time around. You’ll get another chance on Thursday when a new game will be available for you to try.

Connections is released at midnight in your local time zone, so be sure to check back with Newsweek each day for more top tips and answers.

If you’d like another challenge to tide you over before the next Connections is released, why not try giving these other popular word-based games a go?