The daily NYT Connections puzzle (#979) blends finance vocabulary, descriptive nouns, pop culture references, and word pairings. If one group keeps throwing you off, you’re not alone.
Below you’ll find category hints, an interactive practice board, and the answers hidden safely under a reveal toggle.
⚠️ Spoiler Alert: Hints come first. Answers are hidden under “Click to Reveal.”
Hints for NYT Connections – February 14, 2026
- Category 1: Words associated with upward movement or increase.
- Category 2: Raised shapes or bumps.
- Category 3: Iconic characters played by a beloved actor.
- Category 4: Words that commonly appear before “mint.”
Practice Board (Click to Select)
Select four related words and press Submit Group.
Ready to Reveal the Answers?
Click to Reveal Full Solution
1️⃣ UPTICK
HIKE, JUMP, RISE, SPIKE
2️⃣ PROTUBERANCE
BUMP, HUMP, LUMP, MOUND
3️⃣ TOM HANKS ROLES
GUMP, PHILLIPS, SULLY, WOODY
4️⃣ WORDS BEFORE “MINT”
BREATH, JUNIOR, PEPPER, SPEAR
Puzzle Breakdown
The yellow category centered around sudden increases — often used in finance. The green group gathered raised shapes. The blue category required pop culture recognition, while the purple group rewarded attention to word pairings.
If one group felt deceptively similar to another, that’s part of the fun. A new puzzle arrives tomorrow.
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