The New York Times’ captivating word game, Connections, continues to enthrall players daily. For avid readers and puzzle enthusiasts alike, today’s challenge on February 17, 2026, offers a delightful brain-teaser. Just like its popular sibling Wordle, Connections resets at midnight, presenting a fresh set of words that progressively test your linguistic prowess.
If you’re eager to conquer today’s grid but find yourself needing a nudge, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled expert hints, strategic tips, and, for those who simply can’t wait, the complete solution to guide you through.
What is NYT Connections?
Connections has rapidly ascended to become one of the New York Times’ most beloved word games, captivating a global audience and becoming a social media sensation. Conceived with the help of associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu, this innovative game invites players to uncover the “common threads between words.”
Available on both web browsers and mobile devices, Connections challenges you to group four words that share a distinct connection. Each daily puzzle features 16 words, which are ultimately sorted into four unique categories. These categories can range from literary titles and software terms to geographical names and abstract concepts.
How to Play Connections
The core of Connections lies in its deceptive simplicity. While many words on the board might seem to fit together, there’s only one correct grouping for each of the four categories. Successfully identifying all four words in a set removes them from the board, bringing you closer to victory.
Players are allowed up to four mistakes before the game concludes, adding a layer of strategic thinking to each guess. To aid in your quest, the game offers handy features: you can rearrange or shuffle the board to view the words from a fresh perspective. Furthermore, each category is color-coded by difficulty: yellow is the easiest, followed by green, blue, and finally, purple, which presents the trickiest challenge. Once you’ve cracked the code, you can proudly share your results with friends across social media, much like Wordle.
Your Essential Hints for February 17, 2026
Ready to tackle today’s Connections puzzle but prefer to solve it yourself? Here are some carefully curated clues to point you in the right direction without giving everything away.
Category Clues to Guide You
- Yellow: To fly through
- Green: Asian condiments
- Blue: Done to a book page
- Purple: To fail
Revealed: Today’s Connections Categories
If those hints weren’t quite enough, or you’re looking for a clearer path, here are the official categories for today’s Connections puzzle:
- Yellow: Zoom
- Green: Sauces in Chinese cuisine
- Blue: Riffle (through)
- Purple: Starting with synonyms for “Dud”
The Complete Solution to NYT Connections #982
This is your final opportunity to turn back and solve the puzzle independently! If you’re ready to unveil the answers, prepare for the grand reveal.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to Connections puzzle #982 for February 17, 2026, is:
- Zoom: DART, FLASH, SPEED, ZIP
- Sauces in Chinese cuisine: HOISIN, OYSTER, PLUM, SOY
- Riffle (through): FLIP, LEAF, SKIM, THUMB
- Starting with synonyms for “Dud”: BOMBAY, BUSTLE, FLOPPY, MISSUS
Don’t be disheartened if this one proved particularly challenging. The beauty of Connections lies in its daily refresh, offering a new opportunity to stretch your brain tomorrow. We’ll be here again with more helpful hints and solutions to guide your journey.
Beyond Today’s Puzzle
Are you a fan of other New York Times brain teasers? Don’t forget to check out NYT Strands and NYT Pips for more daily wordplay. For a wider array of engaging games, including Mahjong, Sudoku, and free crosswords, explore Mashable’s comprehensive games hub.
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