Yellow group
Straightforward
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with D, F, S and Z. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
DART belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
ZOOM
Reveal all four words
- DART
- FLASH
- SPEED
- ZIP
A little help. Your own aha.
Connections #982
hints & answers for February 17, 2026
Keep the satisfaction of the solve. Get a nudge for one group, reveal a category, or check the answers at your own pace.
#982
This reference always shows February 17, 2026. It is released in at least one timezone; every answer stays closed until you reveal it.
Which group has you stuck?
Pick a colour. Reveal one step at a time.
1/4
Green group
A little trickier
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with H, O, P and S. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
HOISIN belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
SAUCES IN CHINESE CUISINE
Reveal all four words
- HOISIN
- OYSTER
- PLUM
- SOY
Blue group
More challenging
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with F, L, S and T. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
FLIP belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
RIFFLE (THROUGH)
Reveal all four words
- FLIP
- LEAF
- SKIM
- THUMB
Purple group
Wordplay & surprises
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with B, B, F and M. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
BOMBAY belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "DUD"
Reveal all four words
- BOMBAY
- BUSTLE
- FLOPPY
- MISSUS
Show categories only
- Yellow: ZOOM
- Green: SAUCES IN CHINESE CUISINE
- Blue: RIFFLE (THROUGH)
- Purple: STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "DUD"
Ready for the full solution?
All four categories and their words, together.
Reveal all four answers
Yellow
ZOOM
DART · FLASH · SPEED · ZIP
Green
SAUCES IN CHINESE CUISINE
HOISIN · OYSTER · PLUM · SOY
Blue
RIFFLE (THROUGH)
FLIP · LEAF · SKIM · THUMB
Purple
STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "DUD"
BOMBAY · BUSTLE · FLOPPY · MISSUS
This puzzle’s recorded solution
The date and puzzle number identify this exact board. Use the individual group controls to compare its recorded categories and words, then return to the archive to find another puzzle.
Continue from this date
About the answers and hints
Categories and answers follow the recorded NYT puzzle. Our hints are independent: some are original category clues, while others give the first letters of the four words. Each hint is labelled so you can choose how much help to take.
Group colours follow the puzzle’s yellow, green, blue and purple order, from the most straightforward to the trickiest. Your own experience may differ. The reference tiles may appear in a different order from your game. Picture puzzles have separately hidden descriptions, since a description can give away the wordplay.
The daily page starts with the UTC puzzle date and, with JavaScript enabled, checks the puzzle for your local time zone. Every reveal starts closed when the date changes. Play Connections at The New York Times or contact us about a correction.