Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #1,009 hints and answers for Monday, March 16, 2026

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

Connections #1,009 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.

ANIMAL GROUP NAMES

GAGGLE · PACK · POD · PRIDE

Group 2 - Green

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

THINGS ASSOCIATED WITH BEING SLOW

GLACIER · MOLASSES · SLOTH · TRAFFIC

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.

SILENT "W"

CARTWRIGHT · TWO · WRATH · WRESTLE

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 THAT SOUND LIKE STATE ABBREVIATIONS

ANY · EMMY · ENVY · OKAY

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "The Big Dance"