Issue #942 Thu 8 Jan
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — January 8, 2026
A tidy distribution of four distinct themes today. The grid offers a few overlapping traps for the unwary, but a careful read of the clues should keep the path clear.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
Cold air, a stuck-in-throat moment, the camera flash you weren't ready for — three different snags, same body.
Physiological responses
Synonyms for involuntary physical reactions
Members are 5–9 letters; first letters C, G, S, T.
BIT OF A RESPONSE TO STRONG EMOTIONS
One is CHILL.
CHILL · GOOSEBUMP · SHIVER · TINGLE
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
The walk sign is solid red, the sidewalk is clear, and you decide that waiting is for other people.
Minor infractions
Verbs describing small acts of non-compliance
Members are 5–7 letters; first letters J, L, S.
BREAK THE RULES
One is JAYWALK.
JAYWALK · LITTER · LOITER · SPEED
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
Something you might find in a high school physics lab or a particularly well-equipped backyard.
Mechanical engineering
Examples of a specific mechanical apparatus
Members are 6–10 letters; first letters C, S.
FIRST-CLASS LEVERS
One is CLOTHESPIN.
CLOTHESPIN · CROWBAR · SCISSORS · SEESAW
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
You scan the grocery aisle, looking past the wrappers for a word that starts with a familiar sweet.
Wordplay
Words sharing a common prefix
Members are 7–9 letters; first letters A, D, H, M.
STARTING WITH CANDY BARS
One is AEROPLANE.
AEROPLANE · DOVETAIL · HEATHERS · MARSALA
Spoiler zone
Complete Connections answer
Open only the solution you want to see. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.
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Reveal the yellow group
BIT OF A RESPONSE TO STRONG EMOTIONSCHILL · GOOSEBUMP · SHIVER · TINGLE
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Reveal the green group
BREAK THE RULESJAYWALK · LITTER · LOITER · SPEED
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Reveal the blue group
FIRST-CLASS LEVERSCLOTHESPIN · CROWBAR · SCISSORS · SEESAW
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Reveal the violet group
STARTING WITH CANDY BARSAEROPLANE · DOVETAIL · HEATHERS · MARSALA
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on January 8, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Connections answer for January 8, 2026, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on January 8, 2026?
NYT Connections on January 8, 2026 rates 3 out of 4 on our difficulty scale — a tougher-than-average puzzle. As always you sort sixteen words into four colour-coded groups, and our hints tease what links each group without ever naming the words.
What's a spoiler-free hint for NYT Connections on January 8, 2026?
The hint ladder above starts with a one-line vibe for each of the four groups, then adds the connecting idea, then the wording of each category. You climb only as far as you need, and no grouped words are shown until the final reveal.
How many groups are in NYT Connections #942?
Four groups of four, ordered from the gentlest to the trickiest. For the categories and the sixteen words themselves, open the answer section on this page — the hints here keep them hidden.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 4 groups · 16 words
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 4 groups · 16 words