Issue #1012 Sun 18 Jan
Connections hints — January 18, 2026
This grid offers a straightforward progression that rewards those who scan the board for clusters before committing to a final move. Expect a clean set of associations that hold up under a second look.
yellow group 7 nudges
Yellow group
A walk through the park pond, watching the ripples spread and the way the birds shake off the water.
Natural history
Direct synonyms
Members are 4–8 letters; first letters B, F, W.
FEATURES OF A DUCK
One is BILL.
BILL · FEATHERS · WEBBING · WINGS
green group 7 nudges
Green group
The result of a clumsy moment in the kitchen when a ceramic plate slips from your grip.
Action verbs
Direct synonyms
Members are 5–6 letters; first letters B, D, T, W.
DESTROY
One is BREAK.
BREAK · DAMAGE · TOTAL · WRECK
blue group 7 nudges
Blue group
Browsing the shelves at a local bookstore, flipping through the pages to see what the critics had to say.
Publishing elements
Direct synonyms
Members are 5–8 letters; first letters A, Q, S, T.
FOUND ON A BOOK JACKET
One is AUTHOR.
AUTHOR · QUOTE · SYNOPSIS · TITLE
violet group 7 nudges
Violet group
A rainy Saturday spent watching old black-and-white films on a flickering television set.
Mid-century cinema
Direct synonyms
Members are 4–6 letters; first letters C, G, P.
CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD ACTORS
One is COOPER.
COOPER · GRANT · PECK · PRICE