Issue #1160 Sat 23 May
Connections hints — May 23, 2026
A tidy collection of pop culture and stylistic choices. The rhythm here is steady, rewarding a measured approach to the grid.
yellow group 7 nudges
Yellow group
A vanity table littered with bobby pins, hairspray cans, and the slow, focused work of a morning transformation.
Cosmetic grooming styles
Examples of one named set
Members are 7–9 letters; first letters B, C, P.
HAIRDOS
One is BEEHIVE.
BEEHIVE · BOUFFANT · CHIGNON · POMPADOUR
green group 7 nudges
Green group
You offer a seat on the train, but the person you are helping insists you take it first.
Adverbs of preference
Synonyms
Members are 5–10 letters; first letters F, P, R, S.
MORE READILY
One is FIRST.
FIRST · PREFERABLY · RATHER · SOONER
blue group 7 nudges
Blue group
A stack of dog-eared graphic novels waiting on the nightstand.
Comic book figures
Examples of one named set
Members are 7–12 letters; first letters D, H, N, W.
MARVEL CHARACTERS
One is DAREDEVIL.
DAREDEVIL · HAWKEYE · NIGHTCRAWLER · WOLVERINE
violet group 7 nudges
Violet group
The theater lights dim and the opening crawl begins its slow ascent into the stars.
Film franchise titles
Each fills the same blank
Members are 4–7 letters; first letters E, F, L, P.
WORDS AFTER "THE" IN "STAR WARS" MOVIE TITLES
One is EMPIRE.
EMPIRE · FORCE · LAST · PHANTOM