Issue #1042 Sat 18 Apr
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — April 18, 2026
Navigate a collection of four distinct groupings, balancing common synonyms with specific terminology and a playful linguistic twist. Precision is required to distinguish between technical concepts and metaphorical expressions.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
A gallery visitor standing motionless before a vast, intricate painting.
Human behavior and perception
Verb synonyms
Members are 5–6 letters; first letters G, M, S, W.
LOOK AT WITH AWE
One is GOGGLE.
GOGGLE · MARVEL · STARE · WONDER
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
Labels found on the back of a household appliance or battery pack.
Physics and engineering
Examples of one named set
Members are 2–7 letters; first letters A, D, P, V.
BASIC ELECTRICITY TERMS
One is AC.
AC · DC · POWER · VOLTAGE
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
The quiet individual who surprises everyone by finishing first in a race.
Competitive idioms
Synonyms
Members are 7–10 letters; first letters D, L, S, U.
UNEXPECTED WINNER
One is DARK HORSE.
DARK HORSE · LONG SHOT · SLEEPER · UNDERDOG
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
Noticing the familiar branding of a carbonated beverage at the start of a longer, unrelated word.
Linguistic wordplay
Each starts with a hidden item
Members are 8–13 letters; first letters C, F, P.
STARTING WITH SODA BRANDS
One is CRUSHWORTHY.
CRUSHWORTHY · FANTAGRAPHICS · FRESCADE · PEPSINOGEN
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
LOOK AT WITH AWEGOGGLE · MARVEL · STARE · WONDER
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Reveal the green group
BASIC ELECTRICITY TERMSAC · DC · POWER · VOLTAGE
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Reveal the blue group
UNEXPECTED WINNERDARK HORSE · LONG SHOT · SLEEPER · UNDERDOG
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Reveal the violet group
STARTING WITH SODA BRANDSCRUSHWORTHY · FANTAGRAPHICS · FRESCADE · PEPSINOGEN
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on April 18, 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 18, 2026, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on April 18, 2026?
NYT Connections on April 18, 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 18, 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 #1042?
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