NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 23, 2026
Mashable
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The New York Times Connections puzzle continues to captivate players by challenging them to find common threads between words. Today’s puzzle, categorized around themes like "Eat voraciously," "Conical things," "Pose," and "Settings for a kiss," offers a mix of fun and strategic thinking. Players must group four related words correctly to clear the board, with up to four mistakes allowed before the game ends. The game, created by associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu, has become a social media sensation, blending creativity with competitive gameplay.
Connections shares similarities with other popular games like Wordle, allowing players to shuffle and rearrange words for easier solving. Each category is color-coded—yellow (easy), green (medium), blue (harder), and purple (most challenging)—helping users gauge difficulty levels. The puzzle resets daily, ensuring fresh challenges and keeping the game dynamic. Players can test their word association skills with themes ranging from book titles to country names, making it a versatile and engaging experience.
For those seeking help, today’s hints include "I'm starving!" for yellow (related to eating), "Same shape" for green (conical objects), "A facade" for blue (poses or appearances), and "Smooch" for purple (kissing settings). The solutions reveal words like BOLT, GORGE, CONE, BLUFF, CHRISTMAS TREE, MISTLETOE, and WEDDING. While missing the mark this time around is frustrating, the game encourages learning and strategic thinking for future attempts.
Connections stands out in the tech world as a mentally stimulating activity that fosters creativity and cognitive development. Its rise in popularity highlights the growing trend of interactive word games, which offer both entertainment and brain training. For readers interested in tech, understanding the appeal of such puzzles can provide insights into current trends in digital entertainment and social media engagement.
Whether you're a seasoned puzzle solver or new to Connections, the game offers a unique way to challenge your mind and connect with others through shared experiences. Its daily reset feature keeps things fresh, ensuring players always have something new to tackle. As more people discover the joy of wordplay, Connections continues to be a standout example of how technology can merge learning with leisure.
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Originally published on Mashable on 2/23/2026