NYT Connections Hints & Answers for Puzzle #585, Jan 16, 2025

The *New York Times* Connections puzzle is back with yet another clever challenge that will test your ability to spot hidden links between words. Puzzle #585 for January 16, 2025, brings together sixteen seemingly unrelated terms, and your task is to sort them into four distinct groups—each containing four words—with fewer than four mistakes.

If you're already a seasoned Connections player, you know just how tricky this can get. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide filled with hints, category clues, and full spoilers to keep you on the right track without giving everything away at once.

Words in NYT Connections Puzzle #585

The list of words included in today's puzzle is as follows: Market, Switch, Plant, Mall, Trade, Gym, Outlet, Asset, Rug, Business, Mole, Sconce, Pack, Agent, Baseboard, and Commerce.

Hints for Today's Connections Puzzle

Need a nudge in the right direction? Here are some general observations to help you along:

1. These are not typical locations like shops or common errands.
2. The words "Asset" and "Mole" belong in the same group.
3. "Mall" and "Pack" share a category.

Yellow Category (Easy)

Clue: Think economic exchange.
Category: Buying and Selling
Words: Business, Commerce, Market, Trade

Green Category (Medium)

Clue: These could be found installed alongside items like a TV, fireplace, or window.
Category: Installed On a Wall
Words: Baseboard, Outlet, Sconce, Switch

Blue Category (Difficult)

Clue: Related to espionage—think "informer" or "operative."
Category: Spy
Words: Agent, Asset, Mole, Plant

Purple Category (Tricky)

Clue: Each word pairs with the same three-letter animal to form a familiar term.
Category: \_\_\_ Rat
Words: Gym, Mall, Pack, Rug

Full Answer Breakdown

• Yellow - Buying and Selling: Business, Commerce, Market, Trade
• Green - Installed On a Wall: Baseboard, Outlet, Sconce, Switch
• Blue - Spy: Agent, Asset, Mole, Plant
• Purple - \_\_\_ Rat: Gym, Mall, Pack, Rug

Ready to test your skills or try tomorrow’s puzzle next? Visit the New York Times Games Connections website—it’s accessible from nearly any device with a modern browser. Keep practicing, and soon you'll breeze through even the most cryptic puzzles!