Issue #954 Tue 20 Jan
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — January 20, 2026
Today's grid requires a sharp eye for shared prefixes and lateral associations. Expect a patient afternoon of sorting through terms that pull in different directions.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
The stray thread on a sweater you keep pulling until the whole sleeve looks different.
Textile actions
Synonyms for physical manipulation
Members are 4–5 letters; first letters L, T, W.
INTERTWINE
One is LACE.
LACE · TWIST · WEAVE · WIND
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
A picnic interrupted by a yellow-and-black visitor hovering over the open soda can.
Entomology
Specific varieties of a common insect
Members are 5–9 letters; first letters B, C, H, K.
KINDS OF BEES
One is BUMBLE.
BUMBLE · CARPENTER · HONEY · KILLER
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
The toll booth you pass through every morning while watching the river churn below.
Civil engineering
Proper nouns representing iconic landmarks
Members are 5–11 letters; first letters B, G, R, T.
FAMOUS BRIDGES
One is BROOKLYN.
BROOKLYN · GOLDEN GATE · RIALTO · TOWER
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
A list of names scrawled in the margins of a notebook you keep tucked away.
Wordplay group
Words sharing a prefix that creates a new meaning
Members are 6–7 letters; first letters C, D, N, W.
STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "HANKER FOR"
One is CRAVEN.
CRAVEN · DESIREE · NEEDLE · WANTON
Spoiler zone
Complete Connections answer
Open only the solution you want to see. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.
-
Reveal the yellow group
INTERTWINELACE · TWIST · WEAVE · WIND
-
Reveal the green group
KINDS OF BEESBUMBLE · CARPENTER · HONEY · KILLER
-
Reveal the blue group
FAMOUS BRIDGESBROOKLYN · GOLDEN GATE · RIALTO · TOWER
-
Reveal the violet group
STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "HANKER FOR"CRAVEN · DESIREE · NEEDLE · WANTON
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on January 20, 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 20, 2026, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on January 20, 2026?
NYT Connections on January 20, 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 20, 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 #954?
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