Stuck on today’s NYT Connections? Puzzle #988 delivers a clever mix of voracious eating terms, conical shapes, posing synonyms, and a romantic kiss-settings twist.
At first glance, today’s board looks everyday but don’t let that fool you. The Purple category especially requires sharp thematic 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 #: 988
- Date: February 23, 2026
Today’s puzzle revolves around:
- Voracious eating
- Conical things
- Poses
- Settings for a kiss
NYT Connections Today (#988) Word List
Before we get to the hints, Here are the 16 words from today’s puzzle:
- BOLT
- BLARNEY STONE
- BLUFF
- CHRISTMAS TREE
- CONE
- FRONT
- GORGE
- INHALE
- MASQUERADE
- MISTLETOE
- NEW YEAR’S EVE
- PARTY HAT
- POSTURE
- SCARF
- VOLCANO
- WEDDING
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 – Words meaning to eat very quickly or greedily.
- Green – Things that are cone-shaped.
- Blue – Words for striking a pose or pretending.
- Purple – Places, objects, or occasions associated with kissing.
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 (#988)
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: Eat Voraciously
- BOLT
- GORGE
- INHALE
- SCARF
Green: Conical Things
- CHRISTMAS TREE
- CONE
- PARTY HAT
- VOLCANO
Blue: Pose
- BLUFF
- FRONT
- MASQUERADE
- POSTURE
Purple: Settings For A Kiss
- BLARNEY STONE
- MISTLETOE
- NEW YEAR’S EVE
- WEDDING
How I Solved Today’s Connection Game
- The voracious eating words like BOLT and SCARF stood out first. GORGE and INHALE completed the obvious Yellow category.
- Next, CONE and VOLCANO felt conceptually linked as conical. Adding CHRISTMAS TREE and PARTY HAT completed the “conical things” theme.
- The pose group became obvious once BLUFF and FRONT were grouped. That left four unusual words and spotting the kiss connections (Blarney Stone, mistletoe, New Year’s Eve, wedding) unlocked the Purple category instantly.
Yesterday’s Connections Answers (#987)
In case you missed yesterday’s NYT Connections puzzle (Feb 14), here is how the groups broke down:
- Yellow (ONE WHO DOESN’T FIT IN): BLACK SHEEP, MISFIT, OUTCAST, REJECT
- Green (DESCRIPTORS FOR GRAYING HAIR): DISTINGUISHED, FLECKED, SALT-AND-PEPPER, SILVER
- Blue (CLASSIC COMIC STRIPS): BLONDIE, BLOOM COUNTY, PEANUTS, THE FAR SIDE
- Purple (ASSOCIATED WITH THEODORE ROOSEVELT): BIG STICK, BULL MOOSE, ROUGH RIDERS, TEDDY BEAR
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 are all settings or occasions for a kiss (Blarney Stone, mistletoe, New Year’s Eve, wedding).
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 voracious eating words, conical things, synonyms for pose, and settings for a kiss.
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