Stuck on today’s NYT Connections? Puzzle #980 delivers a clever mix of reference materials, nostalgic traces, psychological theories, and a sneaky phone-related word twist.
At first glance, today’s board looks academic but don’t let that fool you. The Purple category especially requires sharp wordplay awareness. If you’re aiming for a perfect solve without burning your four mistakes, this guide will help.You can also try our Today’s Strands Answers and the latest Wordle guide to keep the momentum going.
Today’s NYT Connections Puzzle Info
- Puzzle #: 980
- Date: February 15, 2026
Today’s puzzle revolves around:
- Reference materials
- Lingering memories
- Psychological complexes
- Words that begin with ways to contact someone by phone
NYT Connections Today (#980) Word List
Before we get to the hints, Here are the 16 words from today’s puzzle:
- ATLAS
- DICTIONARY
- ENCYCLOPEDIA
- THESAURUS
- ECHO
- REMINDER
- TRACE
- VESTIGE
- ELECTRA
- INFERIORITY
- OEDIPUS
- SUPERIORITY
- BUZZARD
- CALLIOPE
- DIALECT
- RINGMASTER
NYT Connections Hints for Today (Spoiler-Free)
If you want to solve it yourself but need a small nudge, here are the themes ranked from easiest (Yellow) to hardest (Purple):
- Yellow – Think books you’d find in a library’s reference section.
- Green – Words that suggest something lingering from the past.
- Blue – Psychological terms you may have studied in school.
- Purple – Each word begins with a way you might contact someone by phone.
Now take your time and go to NYT Connections to give it a try before looking at the answers below.
Today’s NYT Connections Answers (#979)
Warning: Full spoilers for today’s NYT Connections puzzle follow below.
If you are ready to see the solution, here are the four connected groups and their answers:
Yellow: Reference Books
- ATLAS
- DICTIONARY
- ENCYCLOPEDIA
- THESAURUS
This was the most straightforward group. All four are classic reference materials used for information lookup rather than cover-to-cover reading.
Green: Something That Brings Back Memories
- ECHO
- REMINDER
- TRACE
- VESTIGE
These words all describe lingering signs or subtle returns of the past.
Blue: Kinds of Complexes
- ELECTRA
- INFERIORITY
- OEDIPUS
- SUPERIORITY
A very clean Blue category today but only if you caught the psychology connection.
Purple: Starting With Ways To Reach Someone Via Phone
- BUZZARD
- CALLIOPE
- DIALECT
- RINGMASTER
Individually, these words seem completely unrelated but once you isolate the starting phone action, the pattern becomes clear.
How I Solved Today’s Connection Game
- The reference books stood out first. ATLAS and ENCYCLOPEDIA practically scream Yellow category.
- Next, ECHO and VESTIGE felt conceptually linked. Adding TRACE and REMINDER completed the “memory” theme.
- The psychology group became obvious once OEDIPUS and ELECTRA were grouped. That left four unusual words and spotting BUZZ, CALL, DIAL, and RING inside them unlocked the Purple category instantly.
Yesterday’s Connections Answers (#979)
In case you missed yesterday’s NYT Connections puzzle (Feb 14), here is how the groups broke down:
- Yellow (UPTICK): HIKE, JUMP, RISE, SPIKE
- Green (PROTUBERANCE): BUMP, HUMP, LUMP, MOUND
- Blue (TOM HANKS ROLES): GUMP, PHILLIPS, SULLY, WOODY
- Purple (WORDS BEFORE “MINT”): BREATH, JUNIOR, PEPPER, SPEAR
How to Play NYT Connections
- The Goal: Sort the 16 words into four groups of four.
- The Groups: Each group shares a common theme.
- The Difficulty: Categories are color-coded: Yellow (Easiest), Green, Blue, and Purple (Hardest).
- Mistakes: You have 4 chances. If you make 4 mistakes, the game reveals the answers.
If you want more help then check out the detailed guide on how to play NYT Connections.
FAQs – NYT Connections
What is hardest group in today’s NYT Connections?
The Purple group was the hardest. The words begin with phone contact methods like buzz, call, dial, and ring.
How many mistakes do you get in NYT Connections?
You can make up to four incorrect guesses before the puzzle ends and the remaining groups are revealed.
Where can I play NYT Connections?
You can play directly on the NYT Games website or in the official mobile app.
What are today’s NYT Connections answers about?
Today’s puzzle features reference books, memory-related words, psychological complexes, and words starting with phone contact actions.
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