Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #949 hints and answers for Thursday, January 15, 2026

Edited by Wyna Liu · Groups listed easiest to hardest: yellow, green, blue, purple

Connections #949 puts four groups of four on the board, running from the yellow group through to purple. For each group below: read the hint first, then show the category name when you want it, then the four words.

Group 1 - Yellow

Hint: These four belong together for one clean reason. If two of them pair up in your head first, let the other two confirm it.

GARDENING TOOLS

HOSE · RAKE · SHOVEL · SPADE

Group 2 - Green

Hint: Four words, one thread. Say each of the four out loud - the link is usually plainer than it looks.

UNMOVING

FROZEN · STATIC · STATIONARY · STILL

Group 3 - Blue

Hint: One thread ties these four together. It is a fair link, not a trick - think about what the words can all be or do.

THINGS THAT COME IN FLAKES

CEREAL · DANDRUFF · SALT · SNOW

Group 4 - Purple

Hint: These four belong together for one clean reason. If two of them pair up in your head first, let the other two confirm it.

WORDS FORMED BY TWO MEN’S NAMES

JACKAL · LEVITATE · MELTED · PATRON

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "The ears have it!"