
March 1st, 2025
Guest Contributor: Usman Ishaq
Word games are addictive, challenging, and a great way to sharpen your mind. If you love the NY Times' Connections game, you're probably looking for similar games that test your vocabulary, pattern recognition, and critical thinking skills.
Good news! We’ve compiled 12 fantastic word games that will keep you entertained every day. Whether you enjoy categorizing words, solving anagrams, or cracking daily word puzzles, these games offer the perfect mix of fun and mental exercise.
Before we explore the best alternatives, let’s take a quick look at Connections, the popular NY Times word game.
Connections is a daily word puzzle where players are given a set of 16 words and must group them into four sets of four based on common themes. The themes can range from:
The challenge? Some words belong to multiple possible groups, and the game often throws in tricky decoys to mislead you.
Since Connections only offers one puzzle per day, many players look for similar word games to enjoy throughout the day. Below are 12 fantastic alternatives you can play right now!

If you enjoy daily word challenges, Hurdle is a must-try. It’s like Wordle but with a unique twist.
It’s a progressive word puzzle that keeps your brain engaged from start to finish.
If you love the word grouping aspect of Connections, Categories is right up your alley.
It’s a fast-paced, brain-teasing game that trains your ability to recognize patterns quickly.
Love anagrams? Scramble Words challenges you to:
It’s a great way to boost your vocabulary and spelling skills while having fun!

If you enjoy Scrabble or Words with Friends, Outspell is the perfect game for you.
Unlike Scrabble, Outspell gives you built-in hints and unlimited practice, making it a great way to sharpen your word-building skills.
Daily Word Search offers a fresh puzzle every day with fun themes and word lists.
It’s the perfect relaxing brain workout for word lovers.
Nothing beats the classic crossword puzzle for word enthusiasts.
Perfect for those who love word challenges that test both vocabulary and trivia knowledge.
The viral word game hit that took the internet by storm.
It’s simple, addictive, and a daily habit for millions of players.
If you love word formation games, Spelling Bee is a must-play.
It combines creativity and word knowledge, making it one of the most engaging daily word games.
It's an excellent puzzle for lovers of pattern recognition.

If you love speed-based word puzzles, this game is for you.
Perfect for word puzzle fans who love a good challenge.
Perfect for those who enjoy word puzzles with a twist.
Love Connections? These 12 word games will keep your brain sharp, challenge your vocabulary, and provide endless fun.
Now, over to you:
Drop your tips in the comments below!
Happy gaming!
If you’re looking for even more fun games, check out Arkadium’s entire collection of daily word games
Play NowCategory: Word Games