The daily New York Times Connections puzzle continues to challenge word puzzle enthusiasts, and today, Saturday, February 21, 2026, is no exception. For those seeking a little assistance with today’s grid, we’ve compiled hints and, for those who prefer, the complete solutions. This popular game, second only to the NYT crossword in popularity, tasks players with grouping sixteen words into four categories of four, based on shared themes.
The challenge lies in identifying those connections, which can be deceptively subtle. The game categorizes the difficulty of each group with a color: yellow (easiest), green (easy), blue (medium), and purple (hardest). Successfully identifying all four connections without four mistakes unlocks the solution, but four errors complete the game.
Today’s Connections: Hints to Get You Started
Before diving into the answers, here are some hints to guide you through today’s puzzle. Remember, the goal is to discover the common thread linking four words together in each category.
- Yellow: Shadows of the past that shape the present.
- Green: Often heard by children.
- Blue: Things you might mutter after a solve.
- Purple: Brand names with a little *extra*.
Need a little more nudge? Here’s one word from each category to facilitate you along:
- Yellow: History
- Green: Present
- Blue: Phew
- Purple: Audits
The Solutions to Today’s NYT Connections (#986)
If you’ve exhausted your hints and are ready to reveal the answers, look no further. Here’s a breakdown of each category and its corresponding words:
- Yellow: Experience – Background, History, Life, Past
- Green: Attendance Status – Absent, Excused, Late, Present
- Blue: Commentary About Your Connections Results – Great, Perfect, Phew, Solid
- Purple: Car Brands Plus Two Letters – Audits, Dodgers, Infinitive, Minion
Many players found the purple category particularly tricky, with “Dodgers” initially leading to thoughts of the baseball team and “Minion” evoking the Despicable Me franchise. The key was recognizing the connection to automobile brands with added letters.
Congratulations to those who successfully navigated today’s Connections puzzle! A new puzzle will be available tomorrow, offering another opportunity to test your word association skills. Keep practicing, and you’ll be a Connections master in no time.
What was the most challenging category for you today? Share your thoughts and strategies in the comments below!
