Issue #1033 Thu 9 Apr
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — April 9, 2026
A balanced grid with straightforward synonym sets and a challenging phonetic twist in the final category. Some terms for physical fitness may overlap with medicinal applications.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
A heavy sigh on a rainy afternoon when one's spirits are particularly dampened.
Expressions of melancholy
Synonyms for a somber state of mind
Members are 3–4 letters; first letters B, D, L.
GLOOMY
One is BLUE.
BLUE · DARK · DOWN · LOW
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
Applying a soothing substance to a minor burn or a sore muscle to find quick relief.
Topical skincare and medicine
Synonyms for thick medicinal substances
Members are 3–5 letters; first letters B, C, P, R.
OINTMENT
One is BALM.
BALM · CREAM · PASTE · RUB
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
Consulting a birth chart to see which celestial animal or figure governs one's personality.
Astrological iconography
Shorthand names for celestial signs
Members are 3–6 letters; first letters A, F, G, R.
ZODIAC SYMBOLS
One is ARCHER.
ARCHER · FISH · GOAT · RAM
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
A person standing on a stage with highly defined muscles after months of rigorous training.
Wordplay and physical fitness
Words that form fitness adjectives when a specific phonetic suffix is added
Members are 3–5 letters; first letters J, R, S, Y.
MUSCULAR, MINUS "ED" SOUND
One is JACK.
JACK · RIP · SHRED · YOKE
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
GLOOMYBLUE · DARK · DOWN · LOW
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Reveal the green group
OINTMENTBALM · CREAM · PASTE · RUB
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Reveal the blue group
ZODIAC SYMBOLSARCHER · FISH · GOAT · RAM
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Reveal the violet group
MUSCULAR, MINUS "ED" SOUNDJACK · RIP · SHRED · YOKE
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on April 9, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Connections answer for April 9, 2026, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on April 9, 2026?
NYT Connections on April 9, 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 April 9, 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 #1033?
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