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Connections Hints for July 17, 2024 #401

Pro tip: Tap each section to reveal answers one at a time. If you just need a gentle hint, get the connection hint for July 17, 2024 #401

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Yellow Category — July 17, 2024

Green Category — July 17, 2024

Blue Category — July 17, 2024

Purple Category — July 17, 2024

Tricky Words in Today's Connections

Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle

Green group — HINDER

Why is “HAMPER” in the Green group?

to hinder or obstruct, often in a subtle way

Blue group — ANIMAL GROUP NAMES

Why is “SWARM” in the Blue group?

a large group of insects or small animals, often moving together

Word definitions

Tricky words in today's Connections (July 17, 2024)

Several words in today's puzzle have multiple meanings or obscure definitions that can throw you off. Here's what each one means in the context of this Connections grid.

BANK
Definition: financial institution
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a riverbank
CHECK
Definition: to restrain or limit
Why it's tricky: can also mean to verify or inspect
CURB
Definition: to restrain or control
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a concrete barrier
PACK
Definition: a group of animals
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a package or a backpack

Connections #401 explained

Why these words connect (July 17, 2024)

Understanding the logic behind each group helps you spot similar patterns in future puzzles. Here's the reasoning for every category in today's Connections.

Yellow group: BUILDINGS AROUND TOWN

These are all types of buildings or establishments that can be found in a town or city, such as a bank or a post office. They are all places that provide a specific service or function.

Green group: HINDER

These are all words that mean to hinder or obstruct something, such as to check or curb something. They are all verbs that convey a sense of limitation or restriction.

Blue group: ANIMAL GROUP NAMES

These are all collective nouns for groups of animals, such as a pack of wolves or a pride of lions. They are all nouns that describe a specific type of animal grouping.

Purple group: STARTS OF U.S. PRESIDENTS

These are all words that are the starts of U.S. presidents' names, such as Bide or Cart. They are all prefixes or initials that are associated with a specific president.

Red herrings and trap words explained

These words were designed to mislead you. Understanding why they don't belong where you first think sharpens your game for tomorrow.

BANK

Seems like it belongs to: STARTS OF U.S. PRESIDENTS

Actually belongs to: BUILDINGS AROUND TOWN

BANK seems like it could be a start of a president's name, but it's actually a type of building

CHECK

Seems like it belongs to: BUILDINGS AROUND TOWN

Actually belongs to: HINDER

CHECK seems like it could be a type of building, but it's actually a verb meaning to restrain

Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained

These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.

Why “BANK” didn't go with STARTS OF U.S. PRESIDENTS

Seems like: STARTS OF U.S. PRESIDENTS → Actually: BUILDINGS AROUND TOWN

BANK seems like it could be a start of a president's name, but it's actually a type of building

Why “CHECK” didn't go with BUILDINGS AROUND TOWN

Seems like: BUILDINGS AROUND TOWN → Actually: HINDER

CHECK seems like it could be a type of building, but it's actually a verb meaning to restrain

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