Stuck on today’s NYT Connections? You’re not alone. While yesterday’s puzzle (#976) had us dealing with romantic yearning and financial returns, today’s puzzle shifts gears entirely. We are looking at building blocks, things that refuse to budge, sports shorthands, and a regal fill-in-the-blank category.
Below, you’ll find spoiler-free NYT Connections hints for today to nudge you in the right direction, followed by the full solution and category breakdown. You can also try our Today’s Strands Answers and the latest Wordle guide to keep the momentum going.
Today’s NYT Connections Puzzle Info
Today’s NYT Connections puzzle features categories built around creation, stability, baseball nicknames, and words that pair with a specific royal title.
NYT Connections Today (#977) Word List
Before we get to the hints, here are the 16 words you are working with today:.
A | CARD | DAIRY | DANCING DRAG | FAST | FIRM | FORM FROZEN | JAY | MAKE | MAY MOLD | PRODUCE | TIGHT | YANK
NYT Connections Hints for Today (Spoiler-Free)
If you want to solve it yourself but just need a little push, here are the themes for today’s four groups, ranked from easiest (Yellow) to hardest (Purple):
- Yellow: Verbs related to creating or shaping something.
- Green: Adjectives describing something that is stuck or secure.
- Blue: Shortened names for Major League Baseball teams.
- Purple: Words that come before “Queen.”
Tip: Be careful with “A” and “MAY.” They look like simple filler words, but they are crucial parts of specific phrases today!
Now take your time and go to NYT Connections to give it a try before looking at the answers below.
Today’s NYT Connections Answers (#977)
Warning: Full spoilers for today’s NYT Connections puzzle follow below.
If you are ready to see the solution, here are the four connected groups and their answers:
Yellow: CONSTRUCT
- FORM, MAKE, MOLD, PRODUCE
Green: FIXED IN PLACE
- FAST, FIRM, FROZEN, TIGHT
Blue: MLB PLAYER, FOR SHORT
- A, CARD, JAY, YANK
Purple: _ QUEEN
- DAIRY, DANCING, DRAG, MAY
How I Solved Today’s Connection Game
Today’s puzzle (#977) felt a bit more structural than yesterday’s emotional roller coaster.
- Easiest Group (Yellow): The words FORM, MAKE, MOLD, and PRODUCE jumped out almost immediately. They are all clear synonyms for creating or constructing something.
- The “Stuck” Words (Green): Once the construction terms were gone, I noticed FROZEN, TIGHT, and FIRM. FAST was the tricky one here—I had to remember it doesn’t just mean “quick,” but also “secure” (as in “hold fast”). These formed the FIXED IN PLACE category.
- The Sports Curveball (Blue): I was left with some odd short words like A, JAY, and YANK. Combined with CARD, it clicked that these are all shorthands for MLB players (Athletic, Cardinal, Blue Jay, Yankee).
- The Royal Finish (Purple): That left DAIRY, DANCING, DRAG, and MAY. At first glance, they seem unrelated, but adding “Queen” to the end of each makes perfect sense (Dairy Queen, Dancing Queen, Drag Queen, May Queen).
Yesterday’s Connections Answers (#976)
In case you missed yesterday’s NYT Connections puzzle (Feb 11), here is how the groups broke down:
- Yellow (ACT LOVESTRUCK): MOON, PINE, SWOON, YEARN
- Green (EARNINGS): GAIN, NET, RETURN, YIELD
- Blue (COMPACT MASS): BLOCK, BRICK, CAKE, PUCK
- Purple (ROLLER ___): BAG, COASTER, DERBY, RINK
How to Play NYT Connections
- The Goal: Sort the 16 words into four groups of four.
- The Groups: Each group shares a common theme.
- The Difficulty: Categories are color-coded: Yellow (Easiest), Green, Blue, and Purple (Hardest).
- Mistakes: You have 4 chances. If you make 4 mistakes, the game reveals the answers.
If you want more help then check out the detailed guide on how to play NYT Connections.
FAQs – NYT Connections
What is hardest group in today’s NYT Connections?
In today’s puzzle (#977), “___ QUEEN” was the trickiest because “May” and “Dairy” don’t immediately signal royalty until you find the link.
How many mistakes do you get in NYT Connections?
You can make up to four incorrect guesses before the puzzle ends and the remaining groups are revealed.
Where can I play NYT Connections?
You can play directly on the NYT Games website or in the official mobile app.
What are today’s NYT Connections answers about?
They cover construction (form/make), stability (fixed in place), baseball abbreviations, and “Queen” compound words.
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