Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #979 hints and answers for Saturday, February 14, 2026

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

Connections #979 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.

UPTICK

HIKE · JUMP · RISE · SPIKE

Group 2 - Green

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

PROTUBERANCE

BUMP · HUMP · LUMP · MOUND

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.

TOM HANKS ROLES

GUMP · PHILLIPS · SULLY · WOODY

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 BEFORE "MINT"

BREATH · JUNIOR · PEPPER · SPEAR

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "XOXOXO"