NYT Connections Hints and Answers for January 10, 2026, #945

Happy Saturday, puzzlers! As the mist dances around the city, I can't help but crave the last taste of seasonal treats. The tangy lemonade, the chilly popsicles, and oh, the warm hug of pumpkin spice… Which one do you reach for on a misty morning like this?

Today's "Connections" puzzle is a colorful mix of clues waiting to be untangled. Keep an eye out for the subtle links between the clues in different tiers, and don't be afraid to scan for loose synonyms or watch out for cross-category decoys. Let your senses guide you through this puzzle adventure!

So, are you ready to dive into the misty maze of words and connections? If you're feeling a bit puzzled, remember, it's all about piecing together the hints and letting your intuition lead the way. Whether you're a seasoned solver or just dipping your toes in, there's always a place for you to join the fun. So, are you in? Let's unravel these mysteries together!

How to Play NYT Connections

Overview

Connections is a daily word puzzle game from The New York Times. The goal is to find groups of four words that share something in common. You’re presented with 16 words arranged in a 4ร—4 grid, and you must identify four groups of four related words.

Basic Rules

  • You have 16 words total, arranged in a 4ร—4 grid
  • There are exactly 4 groups of 4 related words each
  • Each word belongs to exactly one group
  • You must find all four groups to complete the puzzle
  • You have 4 mistakes allowed before the game ends

How to Play

  • Look at all 16 words and try to identify patterns or connections
  • Select 4 words you think belong together by clicking/tapping them
  • Click “Submit” to check if your group is correct
  • If correct, those 4 words will be removed and grouped together
  • If incorrect, you lose one of your 4 allowed mistakes
  • Continue until you find all 4 groups or run out of mistakes

Difficulty Levels

The four groups are color-coded by difficulty:

  • ๐ŸŸจ YELLOW: Easiest – usually straightforward categories
  • ๐ŸŸฉ GREEN: Easy-Medium – slightly more complex connections
  • ๐ŸŸฆ BLUE: Medium-Hard – trickier associations or wordplay
  • ๐ŸŸช PURPLE: Hardest – often involves puns, multiple meanings, or very subtle connections

Strategy Tips

  • Start with the most obvious connections first
  • Be careful of red herrings – words that seem to fit multiple categories
  • If you’re unsure, try to eliminate what doesn’t belong first
  • The purple group often involves wordplay, homophones, or very creative connections
  • Don’t guess randomly – you only have 4 mistakes

Scoring

  • Complete the puzzle to see your results
  • Mistakes are tracked but don’t affect your final score
  • Share your results with friends using the share button
  • Results show how many mistakes you made for each group
๐ŸŸจ easy
Reveal Hint

Strength in numbers

Reveal Answer

GROUP

  • BAND
  • CREW
  • PACK
  • TEAM
๐ŸŸฉ medium
Reveal Hint

Sudden descent

Reveal Answer

PLUNGE

  • CRASH
  • CRATER
  • DROP
  • TANK
๐ŸŸฆ hard
Reveal Hint

Components of a basin

Reveal Answer

PARTS OF A SINK

  • BASIN
  • DRAIN
  • FAUCET
  • STOPPER
๐ŸŸช tricky
Reveal Hint

Equipment for horseback riding

Reveal Answer

EQUESTRIAN GEAR

  • BIT
  • CROP
  • HALTER
  • SADDLE