Sarah stared at her phone screen for the third time this morning, those 16 seemingly random words taunting her from the NYT Connections puzzle. Her coffee was getting cold, but she couldn’t tear herself away. Yesterday, she’d been “one away” from solving the purple group and ended up losing her 12-day winning streak. The frustration still stung.
Sound familiar? If you’re sitting there right now, squinting at today’s February 17 puzzle and wondering how LEAF and BOMBAY could possibly connect, you’re definitely not alone. Millions of puzzle enthusiasts face this same daily challenge, and sometimes we all need a gentle nudge in the right direction.
That’s exactly why connections hints have become such a lifeline for players who want to keep their streaks alive without completely giving up on the satisfaction of solving the puzzle themselves.
Why Today’s Connections Puzzle Is Driving Everyone Crazy
The February 17, 2026 edition (#982) of NYT Connections is serving up a particularly tricky mix of words that’s leaving even seasoned players scratching their heads. Created by editor Wyna Liu, today’s puzzle features 16 words that seem to have absolutely nothing in common at first glance: LEAF, THUMB, SKIM, BOMBAY, ZIP, FLOPPY, SOY, FLIP, FLASH, PLUM, HOISIN, OYSTER, BUSTLE, MISSUS, DART, and SPEED.
The challenge isn’t just finding the connections—it’s doing it with only four incorrect guesses allowed. One wrong move too many, and your winning streak disappears faster than your morning motivation.
“The beauty of Connections lies in those ‘aha!’ moments when you suddenly see the pattern,” says puzzle expert Dr. Maria Rodriguez. “But sometimes your brain needs just a tiny push to unlock those hidden connections.”
Strategic Connections Hints to Keep Your Streak Alive
Here’s how to approach today’s puzzle without completely spoiling the fun. These connections hints are designed to guide your thinking without handing you the answers on a silver platter.
Yellow Group (Easiest): Think about things that move really, really fast. Not just fast—we’re talking about rapid, swift movement that happens in the blink of an eye.
Green Group: Your taste buds might help you here. These words all relate to flavors you’d find in a specific type of Asian cuisine that’s incredibly popular worldwide.
Blue Group: Consider different ways you might read something when you’re in a hurry. Think about how you consume written content when time is short.
Purple Group (Hardest): This one’s sneaky. Focus on the first part of each word—those initial syllables have something very specific in common that relates to not succeeding.
| Difficulty Level | Group Color | Hint Category | Key Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easiest | Yellow | Movement/Speed | Think action words |
| Medium | Green | Food/Cuisine | Consider flavor profiles |
| Harder | Blue | Reading Methods | Think about reading techniques |
| Hardest | Purple | Word Parts | Break words into syllables |
How These Connections Hints Can Transform Your Game
Using strategic connections hints isn’t cheating—it’s smart playing. The goal is to maintain that perfect balance between challenge and enjoyment. Nobody wants to stare at their screen for hours, but everyone wants to feel that rush of satisfaction when the pieces finally click into place.
The key is knowing when to seek help. If you’ve made two wrong guesses and you’re feeling stuck, that’s the perfect time to consult some gentle hints. This approach lets you preserve most of the solving experience while avoiding the heartbreak of a broken streak.
“I’ve seen players get so frustrated with particularly tough puzzles that they stop playing altogether,” notes gaming psychology researcher Dr. James Chen. “Strategic hint usage actually helps maintain long-term engagement with the game.”
Today’s puzzle is especially tricky because it combines straightforward connections with some really clever wordplay. The purple group, in particular, requires you to think about words in a completely different way than their obvious meanings.
Making the Most of Your Daily Puzzle Experience
Remember, Connections is designed to be challenging. Some days you’ll breeze through all four groups in minutes. Other days, like today, will test every ounce of your puzzle-solving skills. Both experiences are part of what makes the game so addictive.
The connections hints provided here are carefully crafted to guide your thinking without robbing you of that “eureka!” moment. Start with the yellow group if you’re feeling overwhelmed—it’s typically the most straightforward and can give you the confidence boost you need to tackle the trickier categories.
Don’t forget about that “one away” notification either. When you see it, you’re incredibly close to solving a group. Take a step back, reconsider your word choices, and try swapping just one word for another option.
Whether you solve today’s puzzle in five minutes or need to lean on these hints for support, you’re participating in a daily ritual that millions of people worldwide share. That’s pretty special, even when HOISIN and FLOPPY are making your brain hurt.
FAQs
How many wrong guesses do I get in Connections?
You get exactly four incorrect guesses before the game ends, so use them wisely.
What does “one away” mean in Connections?
This notification appears when you’ve selected three correct words and one incorrect word for a group, meaning you’re very close to solving it.
Are Connections hints considered cheating?
Not at all—hints are designed to guide your thinking while still letting you experience the satisfaction of solving the puzzle yourself.
What’s the best strategy for using connections hints?
Use hints after you’ve made a couple of attempts on your own, and start with the gentlest hints before seeking more specific guidance.
How often does Connections release new puzzles?
The New York Times releases a new Connections puzzle every single day, with each one numbered sequentially.
Can I play previous Connections puzzles?
Unfortunately, you can only play the current day’s puzzle—once it’s gone, it’s gone, which adds to the daily ritual appeal of the game.
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