The NYT Connections puzzle for April 28, 2026 (#1052), as highlighted by Gael Cooper, stands out as a deceptively tough challenge that blends simple vocabulary with layered thinking. While some categories feel obvious early on, others rely on less direct associations, making this puzzle a real test of pattern recognition and flexibility.
Connections continues to rank among The New York Times’ most engaging daily games, alongside Wordle, the Mini Crossword, Strands and even the Sports Edition. Players can also head to the Connections page after solving to access the Connections Bot, which provides a numeric score and detailed analysis. Registered users can track win rates, streaks, completed puzzles and even perfect solves over time.
Today’s grid is especially tricky because many words can fit into multiple interpretations. The puzzle moves from straightforward definitions to more abstract grouping styles, particularly in the blue and purple categories, where thinking beyond literal meaning becomes essential.
Today’s NYT Connections Words
APPEAL, BID, CALL, REQUEST, DRY, FOLD, SORT, WASH, CHECK, COUPON, MATCH, STAMP, DIAL, FLOWER, SCREEN, TAN
Hints for Today’s Connections Groups
🟨 Yellow group hint: This is the most accessible category. Think about situations where someone is asking, urging or trying to get attention. These words are often used in both casual and formal contexts when making a plea or reaching out for a response.
🟩 Green group hint: Picture a typical weekly routine involving clothes. These words are all actions, not objects, and they represent different stages of a familiar household task. Even if you don’t do them in order, they belong to the same cycle.
🟦 Blue group hint: This category trips up many players. Instead of focusing on definitions, think about physical formats. These items are commonly grouped together in small booklets or collections — something you might flip through or tear pages from.
🟪 Purple group hint: The hardest group today requires thinking in terms of phrases. Each word becomes meaningful when paired with “sun” before it. Focus on common expressions you’ve likely heard rather than standalone meanings.
Starter Answers (One Per Group)
🟨 Yellow: APPEAL
🟩 Green: WASH
🟦 Blue: CHECK
🟪 Purple: SCREEN
A strong solving approach today is to begin with the clearest action-based group — the laundry verbs. Locking those in quickly reduces confusion. From there, the entreaty group becomes easier to isolate. The final two categories demand a shift in thinking, focusing on real-world packaging and phrase construction.
🧠 Practice Mode — Test Yourself
Enter one word from each category to check your understanding:
Quick Tips for Solving Connections
#1: Use the Connections Bot after solving to analyze mistakes and improve strategy.
#2: Start with obvious action-based or everyday categories to reduce the grid.
#3: For difficult groups, think in terms of phrases or real-world usage rather than literal definitions.
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