Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #963 hints and answers for Thursday, January 29, 2026

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

Connections #963 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: One thread ties these four together. It is a fair link, not a trick - think about what the words can all be or do.

MAKEUP

BRONZER · FOUNDATION · LINER · STAIN

Group 2 - Green

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.

FEATURED IN GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS

BEAR · BED · GOLDILOCKS · PORRIDGE

Group 3 - Blue

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

ENDING WITH DRINKING VESSELS

FIBERGLASS · SILVERSTEIN · SMUG · STUMBLER

Group 4 - Purple

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.

HOMOPHONES OF WORDS MEANING "BRUTAL"

GOREY · GRIMM · GRIZZLY · SCARRY

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "Talk of the town"