Today’s NYT Connections grid is interesting because it tempts you into making “obvious” sets early — then quietly punishes you for it. At first glance, several words feel like they belong together by meaning, but the real solve hinges on spotting one clean, satisfying ladder of skill levels, separating out a group that signals agreement without using the same exact wording, and then saving the biggest twist for last: a category that’s about how the words are constructed, not what they mean. If you like puzzles that reward patience and pattern-spotting, this one is a fun little trap — in the best way.
🧠 General Hint
Don’t group by meaning too fast. One set is about levels, one set is about being aligned, one set is room objects, and the hardest set is about how the words are built.
🟨 Click for Yellow hints (easy)
Think skill/experience levels — like ranking someone from beginner to advanced.
🟩 Click for Green hints
These words connect to mutual agreement / shared understanding — often used in deals, alignments, or social “we’re on the same page” moments.
🟦 Click for Blue hints
Picture a living room. All four belong as objects/furniture you might see in the same space.
🟪 Click for Purple hints (hardest)
This set is less about meaning and more about word structure. Look at the way the words are formed — especially their endings.
✅ Click to reveal ALL answers (spoilers)
🟨 Yellow — Skill Levels
- Novice
- Intermediate
- Proficient
- Expert
🟩 Green — Agreement / Understanding
- Handshake
- Agreement
- Understanding
- Compact
🟦 Blue — Living Room Furniture
- Armchair
- Footstool
- Bookcase
- Console
🟪 Purple — Words Ending in Food Items
- Pumpernickel
- Moneypenny
- Headquarter
- Ceftazidime
Puzzle details: NYT Connections — January 12, 2026 (No. 946), by Wyna Liu.
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