Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #974 hints and answers for Monday, February 9, 2026

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

Connections #974 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.

USED IN WEAVING

LOOM · NEEDLE · SCISSORS · YARN

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.

METHOD

APPROACH · MANNER · STYLE · WAY

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.

KINDS OF PAYMENT FOR AN AUTHOR

ADVANCE · BONUS · FEE · ROYALTY

Group 4 - Purple

Hint: The category name leaves a blank - each of these four words fills it to make a familiar phrase.

DRAW ___

NEAR · POKER · STRAWS · THE LINE

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "Frequent flyer"