Today’s NYT Connections puzzle is clean, crisp, and absolutely satisfying — four clear themes that reward both imagery and a little wordplay. We’ve got musical families, a famous Ali line chopped into parts, contest types you can picture, and a cheeky set built from diminutive suffixes. Start with the pictureable groups, hum a little, say words out loud if you need to — the puzzle practically wants you to win.

NYT Connections Puzzle Overview: 26 October 2025

NYT Connections Hints: 26 October 2025

Category 1:
  • Horns and trumpets sit here — brass and majestic.
  • Drums, cymbals and anything you hit for rhythm.
  • Violins and cellos live in this family.
  • Flutes and clarinets belong to this airy group.
Category 2:
  • The insect that packs a surprising punch.
  • The graceful insect that flutters in the ring of metaphor.
  • A slick motion you might use to avoid a blow.
  • The sudden jab that leaves an opponent reeling.
Category 3:
  • A pageant where looks take center stage.
  • A competition judged on who’s most liked or favored.
  • A silent showdown — who can maintain eye contact?
  • A stage for performers to show off chops and skills.
Category 4:
  • A small canine-related adjective or cute snack container?
  • A tiny drop — the word itself literally looks small.
  • A teeny cooking space — smaller than a full kitchen.
  • A little bird name formed with a familiar -ling ending.

NYT Connections Answers: 26 October 2025

Category 1:
Category 2:
Category 3:
Category 4:

Conclusion & Quick Strategy Tip

Today’s grid blends sound, image, nostalgia, and word-formation tricks. Two groups are visual and immediate (instruments, contests), one rides pop-culture recognition (Ali), and the last rewards morphological awareness.

Lock in the instruments or contests first — they’re pictureable and fast. The Ali words click once you spot two of them (say the phrase to yourself). Save the diminutive-suffix set for last; spotting one tiny ending makes the rest obvious.