Intertwining actions, types of bees, famous bridges, and a sneaky verb-based purple group define today’s NYT Connections, look beyond the obvious.
January 20’s NYT Connections mixes lace and weave with buzzing bees, world-famous bridges, and hidden wordplay that rewards sharp observation.
From twisting and weaving to bridges and bees, today’s NYT Connections grid balances simple themes with a clever purple-category surprise.
NYT Connections' January 20 puzzle is here with four exciting categories to be discovered. Like everyday, today’s puzzle has brought a chance for word-puzzle lovers to brainstorm and find the word sets for today’s categories. While looking at words like Twist, Honey, Killer, Tower, Needle, Bumble reveals nothing apparently, a keen observation will uncover links between four words to form four categories. The solution is different for each puzzle, and that’s what makes NYT Connections more appealing.
If you are struggling with today’s NYT Connections, the January 20 puzzle has brought words related to things that intertwine, different kinds of bees, and more. Finding the correct four words to make each set may require some help, so here’s the detailed guide to dive into NYT Connections answers and hints for today.
Before we go forward and solve today’s NYT Connections, check out today’s 16 words:
CARPENTER, HONEY, WIND, BUMBLE, BROOKLYN, GOLDEN GATE, DESIREE, NEEDLE, KILLER, WANTON, LACE, TWIST, WEAVE, RIALTO, TOWER, CRAVEN
NYT experts rate the Connections puzzles out of 5 to hint at the difficulty level. Today’s one is rated 2 out of 5. Though players while solving the puzzle may rate it differently, NYT experts have felt today’s grid is easier than usual. Still, for those who are struggling to figure it out, here are the hints to make the process easier. Let's start with the hints category-wise:
Easiest Group (Yellow): Today’s yellow group words are connected to items that are often synonymous with intertwining.
Moderate Group (Green): This group will contain words associated with different types of bees.
Challenging Group (Blue): This group will have four words that are the names of famous bridges across the world.
Most Difficult Group (Purple): This is the final category, and these words have a similar hidden verb at the beginning.
Also Read: NYT Wordle Answer Today for January 19, 2026: Hints and Expert Walkthrough Revealed
With the above hints, solvers must have reached near the themes of today’s Connections, but if there are the words to form them, below are the solutions to check out:
Yellow Category (INTERTWINE): LACE, TWIST, WEAVE, WIND
Green Category (KINDS OF BEES): BUMBLE, CARPENTER, HONEY, KILLER
Blue Category (FAMOUS BRIDGES): BROOKLYN, GOLDEN GATE, RIALTO, TOWER
Purple Category (STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "HANKER FOR"): CRAVEN, DESIREE, NEEDLE, WANTON
For further clarity, check out the image below:
These are the four categories for today’s puzzle, and hopefully, most players have guessed the word sets without the answer. So, congratulations to all who have solved it!
Unlike traditional crosswords or word searches, NYT Connections asks players to identify subtle connections between the given words and form four groups of four. Connections presents a grid of 16 words, and the objective is to group these words into four sets of four words.
The twist is that each set must be formed while adhering to a specific theme. To solve this puzzle, players must be aware of the connection between particular words.
NYT Connections hardly disappoints word-puzzle enthusiasts. The most appealing part? The word puzzle offers four different themes everyday, without a single repeat. While most other NYT puzzles have one theme or word for a day, Connections presents four themes everyday. Neither of these themes has any relation with the previous puzzles, nor are they connected to each other. Therefore, the solutions require a solid vocabulary to identify connections between words.