Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #988 hints and answers for Monday, February 23, 2026

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

Connections #988 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.

EAT VORACIOUSLY

BOLT · GORGE · INHALE · SCARF

Group 2 - Green

Hint: Watch the longer entries: at least one of these four is a multi-word phrase, which usually points at the shape of the category.

CONICAL THINGS

CHRISTMAS TREE · CONE · PARTY HAT · VOLCANO

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.

POSE

BLUFF · FRONT · MASQUERADE · POSTURE

Group 4 - Purple

Hint: Watch the longer entries: at least one of these four is a multi-word phrase, which usually points at the shape of the category.

SETTINGS FOR A KISS

BLARNEY STONE · MISTLETOE · NEW YEAR'S EVE · WEDDING

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "Strike a chord"