Issue #955 Wed 21 Jan
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — January 21, 2026
A steady rhythm defines today's grid, favoring direct associations over linguistic traps. Expect a balanced progression through four distinct sets of ideas.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
A blue bin left on the curb at dawn, waiting for the truck to roll by.
Waste management
Literal objects
Members are 3–13 letters; first letters B, C, N.
ITEMS TO RECYCLE
One is BOTTLE.
BOTTLE · CAN · CARDBOARD BOX · NEWSPAPER
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
The corner of the bed you pull up tight when the radiator stops clicking at midnight.
Bedroom essentials
Synonyms for items
Members are 4–7 letters; first letters B, S, T.
BEDDING
One is BLANKET.
BLANKET · SHAM · SHEET · THROW
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
A student looking over a shoulder during a final exam.
Academic dishonesty
Synonyms for illicit acquisition
Members are 4–6 letters; first letters C, L, P.
PLAGIARIZE
One is COPY.
COPY · CRIB · LIFT · PIRATE
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
A spotlight cutting through Gotham fog.
Pop culture references
Compound word components
Members are 4–6 letters; first letters C, M, S.
BATMAN'S "BAT" THINGS
One is CAVE.
CAVE · MOBILE · SIGNAL · SUIT
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
ITEMS TO RECYCLEBOTTLE · CAN · CARDBOARD BOX · NEWSPAPER
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Reveal the green group
BEDDINGBLANKET · SHAM · SHEET · THROW
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Reveal the blue group
PLAGIARIZECOPY · CRIB · LIFT · PIRATE
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Reveal the violet group
BATMAN'S "BAT" THINGSCAVE · MOBILE · SIGNAL · SUIT
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on January 21, 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 21, 2026, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on January 21, 2026?
NYT Connections on January 21, 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 21, 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 #955?
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