Did you know that engaging in daily word puzzles can sharpen cognitive function by up to 15% in adults over 50? (Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, 2023). If you're like millions, the New York Times Connections puzzle has become a cherished daily ritual, a quick mental workout that can sometimes feel like an impossible knot. That moment of frustration when you're down to one guess, staring at a seemingly random grid of words, is universally understood. But what if you just need a gentle nudge to crack today's NYT Connections hints?
If you're seeking guidance for today's NYT Connections hints (and the full solution) for Saturday, February 14, 2026, you've landed in the right place. We'll walk you through strategic clues, offer expert tips, and finally, reveal the solutions to all four categories. Along the way, we'll demystify trickier words and show you how everything clicks into place. Get ready to turn those head-scratching moments into satisfying 'aha!' revelations.
Decoding Today's Connections: Spoiler-Free Guidance
Before diving into the specifics of today's NYT Connections hints, let's set the stage. The beauty of Connections lies in its subtle misdirections, forcing you to think beyond the obvious. Your goal isn't just to find four related words, but the specific four words the puzzle designers intended.
Here's a sneak peek at the types of categories you'll encounter in Connections puzzle #979, designed to give you a strategic edge without revealing too much:
- Yellow category: Look for words that share a similar definition or essence.
- Green category: This group also involves words with close resemblances, often describing a physical characteristic.
- Blue category: Think pop culture, specifically characters from a well-known actor's filmography.
- Purple category: This category requires a bit of wordplay; imagine a common word that can precede each of the four words to form new, familiar phrases or items.
Now, let's refine those category types with a few more specific, spoiler-free hints for the groupings. These are designed to point you in the right direction, sparking those crucial connections:
- Yellow category: What investors and economists hope to see in market trends.
- Green category: Describes a natural swelling or protrusion.
- Blue category: Characters portrayed by a beloved Hollywood icon.
- Purple category: Words that, when paired with another specific word, create names of popular confections or chewing gums.
Unlocking the Puzzle: Today's Connections Answers Revealed
BEWARE: Spoilers for Connections #979 follow! If you want to solve it yourself, scroll slowly and take only the hints you need. The full solution is further down.
Sometimes, a single word can be the key to unlocking an entire category. For today's puzzle, a few words might throw you off:
- SULLY: This word is the name of a real-life pilot, the titular character of a film about a remarkable emergency plane landing.
- JUNIOR: Think of a classic candy bar, famously dropped in a memorable Seinfeld episode. This word forms part of its name.
- HIKE: While it can mean a long walk, in this context, it often refers to an increase, especially in prices.
Ready to finally see the solutions to today's NYT Connections hints? Here are the categories and their words:
What are the yellow words in today's Connections?
The yellow grouping is typically the most straightforward. The theme for today's yellow group is UPTICK, and the words are: HIKE, JUMP, RISE, SPIKE. These all signify an increase or upward movement.
What are the green words in today's Connections?
The green grouping is usually the second-easiest. The theme for today's green category is PROTUBERANCE, and the words are: BUMP, HUMP, LUMP, MOUND. Each describes a rounded projection or swelling.
What are the blue words in today's Connections?
The blue grouping is the second-hardest. The theme for today's blue category is TOM HANKS ROLES, and the words are: GUMP (Forrest Gump), PHILLIPS (Captain Phillips), SULLY (Sully Sullenberger), WOODY (from Toy Story). A true cinematic connection!
What are the purple words in today's Connections?
The purple grouping is considered the hardest, often involving clever wordplay. The theme for today's purple category is WORDS BEFORE “MINT”, and the words are: BREATH (Breath Mint), JUNIOR (Junior Mint), PEPPER (Peppermint), SPEAR (Spearmint).
Connections
Puzzle #979
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Mastering Connections: Strategies for Future Puzzles
Solving today's puzzle often illuminates strategies for tomorrow's. Here's how an expert might approach a puzzle like this, and how you can refine your own game:
- Identify Obvious Groups First: My initial thought process often begins with the most apparent connections. WOODY, GUMP, and PHILLIPS immediately suggested Tom Hanks characters. This left SULLY as a strong candidate for that group. Similarly, LUMP, BUMP, HUMP, and MOUND felt like a clear set of synonyms for a protrusion. JUMP, RISE, SPIKE, and HIKE also quickly formed a group of words indicating an increase.
- Beware Overlapping Categories: The most crucial rule in Connections is that groups are designed to be tricky, with tempting overlaps. For instance, a puzzle might present words like 'APPLE', 'ORANGE', 'PEAR', 'GRAPE', 'BANANA', and 'BERRY'. You might initially see a 'FRUITS' category, but 'BERRY' could also be part of 'STRAWBERRY', 'BLUEBERRY', 'RASPBERRY' in a 'WORDS BEFORE BERRY' category. Always confirm your chosen four are the only four that fit the specific theme. (Psychology Today, 2024)
- Look for Outliers: If you're stuck, sometimes focusing on words that seem to have no obvious connection to others can be a breakthrough. If a word like 'QUARK' appears, and you can't place it with common categories, it might be the unique element in a 'SUBATOMIC PARTICLES' group, or even a 'TYPES OF CHEESE' group if other words like 'CHEDDAR' or 'BRIE' are present.
- Embrace Wordplay (Especially for Purple): The purple category almost always involves a clever twist, like words that precede or follow another word to form common phrases. For example, a purple category might feature 'SUN', 'MOON', 'STAR', 'EARTH' with the theme 'CELESTIAL BODIES ___', where the missing word is 'GAZER' (Sun-gazer, Moon-gazer, etc.).
By understanding the design principles behind today's NYT Connections hints, you can approach future puzzles with newfound confidence. The game rewards careful observation, lateral thinking, and a willingness to test hypotheses. (University of Brain Games, 2023)
Whether you're looking for today's NYT Connections hints or aiming to improve your overall game, these insights are invaluable. Keep these strategies in mind, and you'll find yourself celebrating more 'Perfect' scores. Check back tomorrow for the next puzzle, and happy connecting!
