Connections #967 Hints and Answers – February 2, 2026
New York Times Connections puzzle has quickly become one of the most popular daily word games, challenging players to think critically and group words based on hidden relationships. Connections #967, released on February 2, 2026, continued this trend with a clever mix of common terms, pop-culture references, and wordplay that tested both logic and vocabulary skills.
If you struggled with today’s puzzle or simply want a clear breakdown of the hints and answers, this guide will walk you through everything in a simple and easy-to-understand way.
How NYT Connections Works
In the Connections game, players are given 16 words and must divide them into four groups of four. Each group shares a common theme, but the challenge lies in the fact that many words can seem like they belong to more than one category. The groups are also color-coded by difficulty, starting with Yellow (easiest) and ending with Purple (hardest).
Hints for Connections #967 (February 2, 2026)
Here are spoiler-light hints for today’s puzzle to help you think in the right direction before revealing the answers:
- Yellow Group: Words that describe a length of time
- Green Group: Items used as proof or permission to enter
- Blue Group: Last names of popular modern crime or thriller characters
- Purple Group: Words that become tree names when a letter is changed or removed
These hints were especially useful today because several words overlapped in meaning, making the puzzle trickier than it first appeared.
Full Answers for Connections #967
Yellow – Duration
These words all refer to a period or length of time:
- Interval
- Period
- Span
- Stretch
Green – Credentials for Entry
Common items that allow access or admission:
- Lanyard
- Pass
- Stamp
- Wristband
Blue – Modern Crime Series Protagonists
Last names of well-known fictional characters from crime and thriller series:
- Bosch
- Cross
- Reacher
- Ryan
Purple – Trees Plus One Letter
These words become tree names when one letter is removed or changed:
- Fair (Fir)
- Marple (Maple)
- Popular (Poplar)
- Psalm (Palm)
The purple category was the toughest today, relying heavily on word manipulation rather than direct meaning.
Final Thoughts
Connections #967 offered a balanced challenge with straightforward early groups and a clever, word-based twist at the end. If you enjoy puzzles that mix logic, language, and pop culture, today’s game was a great example of why NYT Connections continues to grow in popularity.
Check back daily for more Connections hints and answers, and keep sharpening those word-association skills!
