Issue #948 Wed 14 Jan
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — January 14, 2026
Today's grid requires a steady hand, as the groupings rely on subtle distinctions between linguistic patterns and compound word structures. Precision in parsing will serve you well.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
You lean into the knots of a hiking boot, pulling the laces until the leather bites back.
Adjectives of state
Direct synonyms
Members are 4–6 letters; first letters F, S, T.
FIXED
One is FAST.
FAST · FIRM · SECURE · TIGHT
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
The phone rings at a desk, a name appears on a screen, and a transaction begins.
Business roles
Synonymous nouns
Members are 4–8 letters; first letters A, C, U.
RECEIVER OF GOODS OR SERVICES
One is ACCOUNT.
ACCOUNT · CLIENT · CONSUMER · USER
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
Look at a rooster. Look closely, then consider what happens when the temperature drops near the porch.
Compound words
Words sharing a common prefix
Members are 6–9 letters; first letters F, M, R, S.
STARTING WITH WEATHER CONDITIONS
One is FROSTY.
FROSTY · MISTLETOE · RAINMAKER · SNOWMAN
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
A room full of people holding up numbered paddles, yet not a single person speaks.
Common phrases
Words completing a set phrase
Members are 5–9 letters; first letters A, M, P, T.
SILENT ___
One is AUCTION.
AUCTION · MOVIE · PARTNER · TREATMENT
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
FIXEDFAST · FIRM · SECURE · TIGHT
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Reveal the green group
RECEIVER OF GOODS OR SERVICESACCOUNT · CLIENT · CONSUMER · USER
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Reveal the blue group
STARTING WITH WEATHER CONDITIONSFROSTY · MISTLETOE · RAINMAKER · SNOWMAN
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Reveal the violet group
SILENT ___AUCTION · MOVIE · PARTNER · TREATMENT
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on January 14, 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 14, 2026, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on January 14, 2026?
NYT Connections on January 14, 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 14, 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 #948?
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