New York Times Connections asks you to sort 16 words into four groups of four. Today’s groups use shared meanings, a sport, character names, and a spelling pattern.
NYT Connections #1221 Puzzle Overview: 14 October 2026
FLICKER, SERVE, and FLASH each have more than one meaning. Check that all four words share the same connection before submitting a group.
The sixteen words on today’s board are: FEED, THING, SERVE, SUGGESTION, FIERY, FLICKER, FLASH, FOMENT, SMASH, HULK, TRACE, FUMBLE, SLICE, WHIFF, VOLLEY, PUNISHER.
NYT Connections Hints: 14 October 2026
Each of the four color groups below opens in four steps: hints, one word, the category name, then all four words. Stop at the step that gives enough help.
Yellow group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think of something faint or indirect.
- Each word can mean a small sign that something is present.
Step 2 · one word
SUGGESTION
Step 3 · category
HINT
Step 4 · all four words
FLICKER, SUGGESTION, TRACE, WHIFF
Green group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think of a sport played with a racket.
- Each word can name a way to hit the ball.
Step 2 · one word
SLICE
Step 3 · category
TENNIS SHOTS
Step 4 · all four words
SERVE, SLICE, SMASH, VOLLEY
Blue group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think of fictional characters.
- Each name takes the same short word in front.
Step 2 · one word
HULK
Step 3 · category
SUPERHEROES, WITH “THE”
Step 4 · all four words
FLASH, HULK, PUNISHER, THING
Purple group
Step 1 · two hints
- Look at the spelling at the start of each word.
- The written starts follow the four parts of a familiar giant’s chant, in order.
Step 2 · one word
FEED
Step 3 · category
STARTING WITH “FEE, FI, FO, FUM”
Step 4 · all four words
FEED, FIERY, FOMENT, FUMBLE
Less common words explained
- FOMENT: To stir up or encourage trouble.
NYT Connections Answers: 14 October 2026
Step 4 of each group above holds its answer. The full solved grid and notes on today’s tricky words are folded below.
Full solved grid
Tricky words (spoilers)
FLICKER, SUGGESTION, TRACE, and WHIFF can each mean a slight sign of something. SMASH can also mean to hit forcefully, which may make it seem to fit beside HULK in the superhero group; it belongs with SERVE, SLICE, and VOLLEY as a tennis shot.
Put “The” before FLASH, HULK, PUNISHER, and THING to form the superhero names.
FEED starts with FEE, FIERY with FI, FOMENT with FO, and FUMBLE with FUM. The pattern is in the spelling.
Yesterday’s groups for 13 October 2026
- DISCERNMENT: EYE, FLAIR, SENSE, TASTE
- FASTEN: HITCH, LASH, TETHER, TIE
- SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZES: BELT, CUP, JACKET, RING
- LOOSE ___: CANNON, CHANGE, ENDS, LIPS
More Connections: Yesterday’s puzzle · Play Connections on The New York Times
Also today: Wordle · Strands · Pips · Phrazle · Quordle · Keyword · Colordle · Unwordle · Hurdle · NYT Crossword · NYT Mini · NYT Midi · Jumble · Spelling Bee · Letter Boxed · Parseword · Poeltl
Earlier days: 13 Oct · 12 Oct · 11 Oct · 10 Oct · 9 Oct · 8 Oct · 7 Oct
Questions about Connections
When does Connections change to a new puzzle?
A new puzzle arrives at midnight in the player’s own time zone.
How many tries does a player get in Connections?
The game ends after four mistakes.
Where can a person play Connections?
Play on The New York Times Games site or in the NYT Games app: Connections.
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