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NYT Connections Puzzle #562 Clues and Solutions

Author : Lillian

Jan 07,2026

Connections is the New York Times Games' daily word puzzle, available even on Christmas Eve. If you find this relaxing game a bit tricky, you might appreciate some guidance.

This article is for players familiar with the basics of Connections. Below, you'll find overall puzzle hints, category clues, spoilers, and more. Whatever you require to succeed, you'll find it here.

Word List for NYT Connections Puzzle #562: December 24, 2024

Today's Connections puzzle features the following words: Lions, Tigers, Bears, Oh My, Dear, Jays, Bills, Use, Bye, Bees, Please, Close, Tight, Gimme, Ease, and Intimate.

Hints for Today's NYT Connections Puzzle

If you want helpful tips without completely spoiling this minimalist puzzle, explore the sections below. Some offer subtle clues, while others contain partial spoilers. The full solution is at the very end.

General Hints for the Entire Puzzle

Some useful pointers:

1. None of the categories relate to sports teams.

2. None of the categories are specifically about animal species.

3. "Bye" and "Gimme" belong to the same group.

Here is a hint for the yellow, or straightforward, category: A famous phrase from The Wizard of Oz.

The yellow (easy) category is: "Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!"

The yellow group answer is: "Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!"

The four words in this category are: Bears, Lions, Oh my, Tigers.

Here is a hint for the green, or medium-difficulty, category: Synonymous with "close friends."

The green (medium) category is: Terms of Endearment for a Friend.

The green group answer is: Terms of Endearment for a Friend.

The four words in this category are: Close, Dear, Intimate, Tight.

Here is a hint for the blue, or difficult, category: Other examples in this category: Seas, Geeze, Eyes.

The blue (difficult) category is: Words that Sound Like Plural Letters.

The blue group answer is: Words that Sound Like Plural Letters.

The four words in this category are: Bees, Ease, Jays, Use.

Here is a hint for the purple, or tricky, category: They form one-third of a famous song title when repeated.

The purple (tricky) category is: When Repeated Thrice, They Become Hit Song Titles.

The purple group answer is: When Repeated Thrice, They Become Hit Song Titles.

The four words in this category are: Bills, Bye, Gimme, Please.

Full Solution for Today's NYT Connections #562: December 24, 2024

Reveal the complete solution for this New York Times Games puzzle below. It lists all four categories and their corresponding words.

Yellow - "Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!": Bears, Lions, Oh my, Tigers
Green - Terms of Endearment for a Friend: Close, Dear, Intimate, Tight
Blue - Words that Sound Like Plural Letters: Bees, Ease, Jays, Use
Purple - When Repeated Thrice, They Become Hit Song Titles: Bills, Bye, Gimme, Please