Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #956 hints and answers for Thursday, January 22, 2026

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

Connections #956 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: Four words, one thread. Say each of the four out loud - the link is usually plainer than it looks.

WELL-DEFINED, AS AN IMAGE

CLEAR · CRISP · DISTINCT · SHARP

Group 2 - Green

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.

FRUIT DESSERTS

COBBLER · CRUMBLE · STRUDEL · TURNOVER

Group 3 - Blue

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.

BUNGLE

FLUFF · FUMBLE · MISS · TRIP

Group 4 - Purple

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

MAGAZINES PLUS A LETTER

ELLEN · SPINY · TIMER · USE

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "Ode to joy"