The yellow category is relatively straightforward, grouping together well-known dance styles such as Foxtrot, Swing, Modern, and Tap.
Board game fans may quickly identify the Monopoly-themed category, while frequent internet users could spot the online content sorting options without much difficulty.
The purple category provides the biggest challenge by linking words associated with mantles or mantels, creating a subtle and satisfying wordplay twist.
A new day brings a fresh NYT Connections grid full of fun, excitement, and challenge! For word puzzle lovers, the NYT puzzle can never get old. Every day, it presents a set of 16 random words to keep players on their toes. Whether you are a casual puzzle solver or a regular player with more than a 70-game streak on the line, today’s grid is a delightful challenge.
When you first see terms like Modern, Recent, Money, Fireplace, Trending, etc., on the grid, things will make no sense at all. That’s where the actual task lies. You have to find the passive connection between the words to form today’s four categories.
If you’re new to it, Connections is a daily puzzle game from The New York Times where you group 16 words into four sets of four connected words. The connections can be straightforward or massively twisted. From synonyms to pop culture references to the sports world, the puzzle categories can range anywhere.
Each group has a difficulty tier: yellow (easy), green and blue (moderate), and purple (hardest). You get a max of 4 mistakes, so precision matters. The twist? Some words fit into more than one category, and that’s where the real challenge begins.
Here are your hints, color-coded by difficulty (but no answers just yet):
Yellow Group (Easiest): For this group, start thinking of different dance styles that you must have heard about.
Green Group (Medium): If you play board games a lot, you must have at least heard about Monopoly. So, try to find out related terms.
Blue Group (Moderate): Look for words that you can find on news websites often.
Purple Group (Hardest): The final group is a bit twisted; these are the symbols that you often find on academic gowns.
One Word Per Group
Need a quick push? Here’s one example from each group:
FOXTROT
HOTEL
RECENT
YANKEES
Also Read: NYT Wordle Hints and Answer for June 22, 2026: Strategy & Expert Walkthrough
Still confused about the NYT Connections solutions? Here are the exact categories for today’s puzzle:
Yellow (DANCE STYLES): FOXTROT, MODERN, SWING, TAP
Blue (IN A MONOPOLY BOX): DEED, HOTEL, MONEY, TOKEN
Green (CONTENT SORTING OPTIONS ONLINE): FEATURED, POPULAR, RECENT, TRENDING
Purple (THINGS WITH MANTLES/MANTELS): EARTH, EMPEROR, FIREPLACE, YANKEES
If you have solved today’s puzzle but missed out on a few of the week’s, below are the answers to some of the previous day's NYT Connections:
| Date | Puzzle # | Yellow Group | Green Group | Blue Group | Purple Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 22, 2026 | #1107 | ALPHA, HEAD, LEAD, PRIMARY | BY, TIMES, X, ● | SHORT, SILENT, SOFT, STRESSED | BANGKOK, BOOMER, POPSICLE, POWDER |
| June 21, 2026 | #1106 | DRIZZLE, RAIN, SHOWERS, SPRINKLES | FLOORS, ROCKS, STUNS, SURPRISES | COMMUNITY, FRIENDS, SCRUBS, WINGS | BARBADOS, DIGGITY, DISSECT, SLAPDASH |
| June 20, 2026 | #1105 | JACKKNIFE, KNAPSACK, KNICKS, KNOCK-KNOCK | BACK, BOLSTER, CHAMPION, SUPPORT | BEANBAG, RECLINER, ROCKER, STOOL | JUMPIN’, LOUIE, NEW YORK, REBEL |
| June 19, 2026 | #1104 | MISO PASTE, PARMESAN, SOY SAUCE, VEGEMITE | CHOPSTICKS, FÜR ELISE, HEART AND SOUL, THE ENTERTAINER | FORTUNE COOKIE, PEOPLE PERSON, SPINDERELLA, TIME MACHINE | COINCIDENTALLY, DIM SUM, TEETOTAL, VISCOUNT |
| June 18, 2026 | #1103 | AEROBICS, BARRE, BOOTCAMP, PILATES | ATTITUDE, BEARING, CARRIAGE, PRESENCE | GANDHI, KING, MANDELA, TUTU | HAMM, JIGS, PLIE, WREN |
| June 17, 2026 | #1102 | CAVITY, NICHE, NOOK, RECESS | CHEEK, LIP, MOUTH, NERVE | CALLIOPE, ECHO, IRIS, NEMESIS | CLASSIC, KINDLE, SORTIE, TYPEFACE |
The June 23 grid showcases how NYT Connections continues to evolve, combining language, synonyms, and gaming references. Even the most common words can hide layered meanings that encourage players to slow down and reassess their assumptions before locking in a group.
What makes today’s puzzle memorable is the variety of themes it has brought in. From dance forms to news website features, the range is massive. This keeps the experience fresh and ensures that every solved grid feels like a small but satisfying mental victory.