NYT Connections is the daily word game that asks you to sort 16 seemingly unrelated words into four logical groups of four. For 17 January 2026, the puzzle blended abstract ideas, cultural references, and clever wordplay. Some categories felt instantly familiar, while others required a second look. Below, you’ll find spoiler-free hints first, followed by the full answers.
NYT Connections Puzzle Overview: 17 January 2026
Today’s grid leaned heavily into concepts and associations rather than literal definitions. A couple of categories appeared deceptively obvious, while one relied on a playful linguistic twist. Overall, this was a satisfying mix that rewarded broad knowledge and careful reading, especially for solvers who double-check patterns before locking answers.
NYT Connections Hints: 17 January 2026
Category 1:
- Think about applying something across a surface
- Often involves coverage rather than precision
- Commonly used with materials or substances
- The action usually leaves little exposed
Category 2:
- Focus on forceful movement away from yourself
- Often done quickly or impulsively
- Objects are the usual recipients
- Synonyms appear frequently in sports or conflict
Category 3:
- Rearranged letters create new meaning
- Same characters, different order
- A favorite trick in word puzzles
- All results are valid standalone words
Category 4:
- Nostalgic outdoor activities for kids
- Each word commonly comes first in a phrase
- Often shouted during play
- Tied to chasing, hiding, or calling out
NYT Connections Answers: 17 January 2026
Here are the answers for today, grouped by category:
Category 1:
Category 2:
Category 3:
Category 4:
Conclusion & Quick Strategy Tip
Today’s puzzle offered a pleasant mix of trivia and orthographic trickery — approachable if you spotted the obvious categories, trickier if you focused only on letters. Quick strategy tip: when a cluster looks like trivia, scan for proper names first; when letters look odd, test pronunciations and small edits.
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