Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #990 hints and answers for Wednesday, February 25, 2026

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

Connections #990 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.

CARE FOR

BABY · FOSTER · MOTHER · NURSE

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.

ELEMENTARY

BASIC · KEY · PRIMARY · PRINCIPAL

Group 3 - Blue

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

JAMESES

BROWN · COOK · DEAN · HARDEN

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.

ENDING IN FAMILY WORDS

ALKALINE · DECLAN · DIATRIBE · NAPKIN

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "That's really out there!"