Issue #1074 Fri 27 Feb
Connections hints — February 27, 2026
Two direct synonym groups sit alongside two distinct wordplay sets. Watch the violet column, as three of its members hide in plain sight among the other rows.
yellow group 7 nudges
Yellow group
A handshake that lingers a second too long, then the sudden realization that your secrets are no longer yours.
Character archetypes
Synonyms
Members are 5–8 letters; first letters J, S, T.
BACKSTABBER
One is JUDAS.
JUDAS · SNAKE · TRAITOR · TURNCOAT
green group 7 nudges
Green group
The way a room feels different when someone enters, or the specific weight of a glance across a crowded dinner table.
Personal attributes
Synonyms
Members are 3–10 letters; first letters A, I, M, Q.
AURA
One is AIR.
AIR · IMPRESSION · MANNER · QUALITY
blue group 7 nudges
Blue group
A single pebble shifted in a stream, or the first card tipped in a line that stretches across the table.
Metaphorical phenomena
Synonyms
Members are 6–9 letters; first letters B, D, R, S.
KINDS OF CHAIN REACTION "EFFECTS"
One is BUTTERFLY.
BUTTERFLY · DOMINO · RIPPLE · SNOWBALL
violet group 7 nudges
Violet group
Something you'd do to a pair of shoes before a job interview.
Wordplay group
Each fills the same blank
Members are 5–8 letters; first letters B, D, F, P.
___ PRESS
One is BENCH.
BENCH · DRILL · FRENCH · PRINTING