The New York Times Games presents Connections, a daily word puzzle, even on Christmas Eve! Need a hand solving this relaxing puzzle? This guide offers hints, clues, and solutions for Connections puzzle #562 (December 24, 2024). Whether you need a nudge or the complete answer, you'll find it here.
Today's Connections Puzzle Words:
The puzzle includes: Lions, Tigers, Bears, Oh My, Dear, Jays, Bills, Use, Bye, Bees, Please, Close, Tight, Gimme, Ease, and Intimate.
Hints and Clues:
These hints offer varying levels of assistance, from general tips to partial spoilers. Complete solutions are at the end.
General Hints:

- No groups focus solely on sports teams.
- No groups are exclusively about animal types.
- "Bye" and "Gimme" belong in the same group.
Yellow Category (Easy):
Hint: A famous Wizard of Oz phrase.
Yellow Category Solution:
"Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!" The words are: Bears, Lions, Oh my, Tigers.
Green Category (Medium):
Hint: Think close companions.
Green Category Solution:
"Beloved, as a Friend" The words are: Close, Dear, Intimate, Tight.
Blue Category (Hard):
Hint: Consider words that sound like plural letters. Other possibilities include: Seas, Geeze, Eyes.
Blue Category Solution:
"Words that Sound Like Plural Letters" The words are: Bees, Ease, Jays, Use.
Purple Category (Tricky):
Hint: These words, when tripled, form the titles of popular songs.
Purple Category Solution:
**"When Tripled, Hit Song