In New York Times Connections, sort 16 words into four groups of four. Today’s groups use shared functions, types of objects, sporting roles, and the opening letters of longer words.
NYT Connections #1229 Puzzle Overview: 22 October 2026
HANDLE, MOBILE, and SAFETY each have more than one meaning. Check that all four words fit the same connection before submitting a set.
The sixteen words on today’s board are: MOBILE, COMFORT, BLANK, SAFETY, RELIEF, GRIP, END, BUST, HANDLE, TACKLE, PILL, KNOB, SHE, GUARD, HILT, STATUE.
NYT Connections Hints: 22 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 about where a hand goes when using an object.
- These features give someone a place to hold or turn an object.
Step 2 · one word
GRIP
Step 3 · category
PARTS TO BE GRASPED
Step 4 · all four words
GRIP, HANDLE, HILT, KNOB
Green group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think of objects made for display.
- These are forms of three-dimensional art.
Step 2 · one word
BUST
Step 3 · category
KINDS OF SCULPTURES
Step 4 · all four words
BUST, MOBILE, RELIEF, STATUE
Blue group
Step 1 · two hints
- Think of roles on a sports team.
- These roles appear in a sport with touchdowns and field goals.
Step 2 · one word
END
Step 3 · category
AMERICAN FOOTBALL POSITIONS
Step 4 · all four words
END, GUARD, SAFETY, TACKLE
Purple group
Step 1 · two hints
- Each entry is the opening of a longer word.
- Add letters after each entry to name something used on a bed.
Step 2 · one word
BLANK
Step 3 · category
STARTS OF BEDDING
Step 4 · all four words
BLANK, COMFORT, PILL, SHE
Less common words explained
- HILT: It is the part of a sword or dagger held in the hand.
NYT Connections Answers: 22 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)
RELIEF can mean an easing of discomfort, which suggests a connection with COMFORT in the purple group. It belongs in the green group with BUST, MOBILE, and STATUE: a RELIEF is a sculpture whose shapes project from a background.
The purple words begin names of things used on a bed. BLANK becomes BLANKET, COMFORT becomes COMFORTER, PILL becomes PILLOW, and SHE becomes SHEET.
Yesterday’s groups for 21 October 2026
- CLASSIC CHILDREN’S GAMES: DUCK DUCK GOOSE, HOT POTATO, LEAPFROG, MUSICAL CHAIRS
- IMPORTANT PERSON: ALPHA DOG, BIG CHEESE, HEAVYWEIGHT, TOP BANANA
- FAMOUS PAINTINGS: AMERICAN GOTHIC, CAMPBELL’S SOUP CAN, SUNFLOWERS, THE SCREAM
- DOUBLE MISNOMERS (NEITHER WORD IS AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION): ENGLISH HORN, GRAPE-NUTS, MANTIS SHRIMP, SWEETBREAD
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: 21 Oct · 20 Oct · 19 Oct · 18 Oct · 17 Oct · 16 Oct · 15 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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