The New York Times Connections puzzle challenges players to sort 16 seemingly unrelated words into four connected groups. Each group shares a hidden link. Today’s grid cleverly blends cosmetics terminology, classic fairy tale references, clever word formations, and homophone wordplay, making it both engaging and satisfyingly deceptive. Below you’ll find gentle hints to guide your thinking, followed by the complete solutions once you’re ready to check your work.
NYT Connections Puzzle Overview: 29 January 2026
Today’s Connections puzzle leans heavily into linguistic trickery and pop culture knowledge. Some groupings feel intuitive at first glance, while others reward solvers who catch unexpected patterns and phonetic similarities. The themed categories span from everyday beauty products to beloved children’s stories to creative compound words, making this puzzle a delightful balance of straightforward associations and clever misdirection.
NYT Connections Hints: 29 January 2026
Category 1:
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Products found in your makeup bag or vanity
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Items used in cosmetic application and beauty routines
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Common names in the beauty and skincare industry
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All essential for creating a complete makeup look
Category 2:
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Key elements from a classic children’s fairy tale
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Items and characters featured in “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”
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Central to the famous story about porridge, chairs, and beds
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All directly referenced in this beloved nursery tale
Category 3:
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Words that share a surprising connection
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All can precede the same type of drinking vessel
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Often found in compound words or phrases
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The connection reveals itself through careful word formation
Category 4:
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Each word sounds like a word meaning “brutal” or “harsh”
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Homophones of adjectives describing something cruel or unpleasant
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Phonetic trickery at its finest
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Spelling differs from their sound-alike counterparts with darker meanings
NYT Connections Answers: 29 January 2026
Here are the answers, grouped by category.
Category 1:
Category 2:
Category 3:
Category 4:
Conclusion & Quick Strategy Tip
The 29 January 2026 Connections puzzle balances straightforward category recognition with linguistic trickery, making it satisfying once the homophones and vessel connections click into place. Quick strategy tip: Lock in the makeup category early—it’s the most straightforward grouping. Then identify the Goldilocks tale category, which relies on cultural familiarity. From there, the homophone category often clicks once you say the words aloud, and the drinking vessel connection requires lateral thinking about word formation and decomposition. Don’t be afraid to sound words out—this puzzle rewards auditory as well as visual word play.
