Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #973 hints and answers for Sunday, February 8, 2026

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

Connections #973 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.

SUPPRESS

GAG · INHIBIT · MUZZLE · SILENCE

Group 2 - Green

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

SAME OLD STUFF

DRILL · GRIND · HABIT · ROUTINE

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.

FEATURES OF A STRONG PASSWORD

LENGTH · NUMBER · SYMBOL · UPPERCASE

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 AFTER "TWO"

BIT · CENTS · FACED · TIMER

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "Make it fancy"