Today Connections Hints and Answer for March 17, 2025

 Well, everyone, it's Monday, March 17, 2025, and it's time to play some Connections! Let’s take a look at today’s puzzle and see how we can solve it.

The Word List

Today’s words are:

• Pickup

• Garbage

• Abandon

• Fiber

• Maroon

• Freedom

• MC

• Strand

• Thread

• Monster

• Spontaneity

• Jackson

• Ben

• Folds

• String

• Unrestraint

• Dump

Hints for Today's Connections:

• Yellow: Filaments or strands of material

• Blue: Types of Trucks

• Green: Synonyms for Being Uninhibited

• Purple: Musical groups with “5” in their name

More Clues with Examples:

• Yellow: Filaments or strands of material – Think about words that describe someone who is free-spirited, wild, or unrestrained in their actions. For example, people who live with complete spontaneity, without rules or limitations, might be called uninhibited. Terms like “reckless abandon” or “free spirit” fit into this category.

• Blue: Types of Trucks – Consider different types of trucks that serve specific purposes. For example, if you’re hauling heavy waste, you might use a dump truck. A garbage truck collects trash, while a monster truck is known for its massive wheels and exciting stunts. Pickup trucks are everyday vehicles with an open cargo area in the back.

• Green: Synonyms for Being Uninhibited – These words relate to materials that can be woven, spun, or stretched into thin strands. Think about things like sewing thread, strands of hair, or fibers in a rope. A filament is often a single strand of a material, commonly found in fabrics or light bulbs.

• Purple: Bands with a Number Removed – These words are related to famous bands with numbers in their names. For example, if you take “Maroon” and add “5,” you get Maroon 5. The same goes for “Jackson” leading to Jackson 5. There is also Ben Folds Five, where “Ben Folds” is part of the band’s full name. The trickiest one here is MC5, a lesser-known rock band from the late 1960s.

Today's Connections Answers

Credit: New York Times

First Connection: Bands with a Number Removed

The first thing that stood out to me was Ben Folds. If you’re familiar with pop and alternative music, you might recognize him from the band Ben Folds Five. That immediately gave me an idea that numbers were missing from some of these words. 

Looking further, I saw Maroon, which pointed to Maroon 5, and Jackson, as in Jackson 5. That left one missing band, and after some thought, I realized that MC must stand for MC5. While MC5 isn’t as famous as the others, they were an influential rock band. This completed the purple category of “Bands with the number removed.”

Second Connection: Types of Filaments

Next, I turned my attention to words related to thin, thread-like materials. I noticed String, Thread, Strand, and Fiber all had something in common—they are all types of filaments. A string is a long, thin piece of material, often used in instruments or crafts. A thread is commonly associated with sewing and fabrics. Strands can be found in hair, rope, or DNA, while fibers are the smallest components that make up textiles. This fit the Yellow category of “Types of Filaments.”

Third Connection: Synonyms for Being Uninhibited

This group was a little trickier at first, but I noticed words that suggested freedom and a carefree attitude. Spontaneity is all about acting on impulse without planning. Freedom represents a lack of restrictions or limitations. Unrestraint means lacking self-control or holding back. Abandon is often used in phrases like “reckless abandon,” describing someone who throws caution to the wind. Together, these words formed the green category of “Synonyms for Being Uninhibited.”

Fourth Connection: Types of Trucks

With only four words left, the last category became clear. Pickup trucks are commonly used for hauling small loads. Dump trucks carry and unload large amounts of material, often on construction sites. Garbage trucks are used for waste collection, and monster trucks are massive vehicles designed for stunts and entertainment. All of these fell under the blue category of “Types of Trucks.”

Final Thoughts

Today’s puzzle was a fun mix of music, materials, emotions, and vehicles! The trickiest part was recognizing MC5, but overall, it was a smooth run.

Let me know in the comments how you did with today’s Connections puzzle! Which of the “Number 5” bands is your favorite—Ben Folds Five, Maroon 5, Jackson 5, or MC5? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for playing along, and I’ll see you tomorrow for another round of Connections!