The phrase "were connected with" is commonly used to describe a relationship or association between two or more things. However, using the same phrase repeatedly can sound monotonous and uninteresting. To spice up your writing, you can use synonyms for the phrase such as "were related to," "were associated with," "were linked to," "were coupled with," "went hand-in-hand with," "had ties to," "were affixed to," "were intertwined with," "had a correlation with," or "had a connection to." These alternatives can help add variety, interest, and clarity to your writing while conveying the same meaning.