Issue #962 Wed 28 Jan
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — January 28, 2026
A steady, rhythmic grid that rewards those who look for the subtle differences in word function. You will find a few traps tucked into the corners, but the logic holds firm if you keep your focus.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
The stage whisper, the cinematic prop that looks real from the fifth row, or the story you tell to deflect the truth.
Synonyms for insincerity
Direct synonyms
Members are 4–7 letters; first letters D, M, P, S.
IMITATION
One is DUMMY.
DUMMY · MOCK · PRETEND · SHAM
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
Where the kitchen floor meets the hallway, under the sink, or hidden behind the laundry room door.
Household maintenance items
Functional cluster
Members are 3–6 letters; first letters B, G, R, S.
CLEANING SUPPLIES
One is BUCKET.
BUCKET · GLOVES · RAG · SOAP
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
The quiet crackle before the music starts or the gentle weight of an arm lowered onto a spinning disc.
Audio equipment parts
Literal components
Members are 5–7 letters; first letters M, N, P, T.
COMPONENTS OF A RECORD PLAYER
One is MOTOR.
MOTOR · NEEDLE · PLATTER · TONEARM
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
The extra bit of patience you give a stranger, or the one thing you keep in the trunk for a rainy Tuesday.
Word completion phrases
Shared prefix
Members are 2–4 letters; first letters M, R, T.
SPARE ___
One is ME.
ME · RIB · TIME · TIRE
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
IMITATIONDUMMY · MOCK · PRETEND · SHAM
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Reveal the green group
CLEANING SUPPLIESBUCKET · GLOVES · RAG · SOAP
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Reveal the blue group
COMPONENTS OF A RECORD PLAYERMOTOR · NEEDLE · PLATTER · TONEARM
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Reveal the violet group
SPARE ___ME · RIB · TIME · TIRE
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on January 28, 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 28, 2026, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on January 28, 2026?
NYT Connections on January 28, 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 28, 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 #962?
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