In New York Times Connections, sort 16 words into four groups of four. Today’s groups use shared meanings, cultural references, and misleading literal descriptions.
NYT Connections #1228 Puzzle Overview: 21 October 2026
HOT POTATO, HEAVYWEIGHT, and SUNFLOWERS have more than one meaning. Consider alternate meanings before committing to a set.
The sixteen words on today’s board are: ENGLISH HORN, LEAPFROG, ALPHA DOG, SWEETBREAD, HOT POTATO, MANTIS SHRIMP, SUNFLOWERS, BIG CHEESE, AMERICAN GOTHIC, GRAPE-NUTS, CAMPBELL’S SOUP CAN, DUCK DUCK GOOSE, TOP BANANA, THE SCREAM, MUSICAL CHAIRS, HEAVYWEIGHT.
NYT Connections Hints: 21 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 activities often played at recess or parties.
- These activities involve chasing, jumping, passing, or finding a seat.
Step 2 · one word
DUCK DUCK GOOSE
Step 3 · category
CLASSIC CHILDREN’S GAMES
Step 4 · all four words
DUCK DUCK GOOSE, HOT POTATO, LEAPFROG, MUSICAL CHAIRS
Green group
Step 1 · two hints
- These expressions describe someone’s standing.
- Each can refer to someone with power or influence.
Step 2 · one word
ALPHA DOG
Step 3 · category
IMPORTANT PERSON
Step 4 · all four words
ALPHA DOG, BIG CHEESE, HEAVYWEIGHT, TOP BANANA
Blue group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think of images displayed in museums.
- These are titles of well-known works on canvas.
Step 2 · one word
AMERICAN GOTHIC
Step 3 · category
FAMOUS PAINTINGS
Step 4 · all four words
AMERICAN GOTHIC, CAMPBELL’S SOUP CAN, SUNFLOWERS, THE SCREAM
Purple group
Step 1 · two hints
- Read each label literally.
- Both parts of each label are misleading about what it names.
Step 2 · one word
ENGLISH HORN
Step 3 · category
DOUBLE MISNOMERS (NEITHER WORD IS AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION)
Step 4 · all four words
ENGLISH HORN, GRAPE-NUTS, MANTIS SHRIMP, SWEETBREAD
Less common words explained
- MANTIS SHRIMP: A marine crustacean with powerful front limbs used to catch prey.
- SWEETBREAD: The thymus or pancreas of an animal, prepared as food.
NYT Connections Answers: 21 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)
ALPHA DOG can mean a dominant canine, which may suggest a connection to MANTIS SHRIMP in DOUBLE MISNOMERS. Here, it belongs to IMPORTANT PERSON because it can describe someone in charge.
ENGLISH HORN is neither English nor a horn; it is a woodwind instrument. GRAPE-NUTS contains neither grapes nor nuts.
MANTIS SHRIMP is neither a mantis nor a shrimp. SWEETBREAD is neither sweet nor bread; it is organ meat.
Yesterday’s groups for 20 October 2026
- FINISH: CLOSE, END, STOP, WRAP
- LACKEY: MINION, POODLE, PUPPET, STOOGE
- MUSTACHES: CHEVRON, HORSESHOE, PENCIL, WALRUS
- HOMOPHONES OF DISNEY CHARACTERS: ARIAL, BELL, DOCK, MINI
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: 20 Oct · 19 Oct · 18 Oct · 17 Oct · 16 Oct · 15 Oct · 14 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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