Connections hint for October 1, 2026
The puzzle for Thursday, October 1, 2026. Every hint is hidden until you open it, so take only the nudge you need.
The 16 words, in starting order
- NATIONAL
- KEN
- NECK
- SHINS
- ACRO
- STICK
- WAIST
- WALKMEN
- SITUATE
- SLEEVE
- CROSS
- PLACE
- SUD
- POSITION
- CHEST
- DECEMBERISTS
Hints, from gentle to full answers
Hint 1Group name cluesShowHide
Colors run from yellow (the most direct link) to purple (the trickiest).
Yellow: the group name is 1 word long and starts with P.
Green: the group name is 3 words long and starts with D.
Blue: the group name is 6 words long and starts with 2.
Purple: the group name is 5 words long and starts with S.
Hint 2One word from each groupShowHide
Yellow: PLACE
Green: CHEST
Blue: DECEMBERISTS
Purple: ACRO
SpoilerThe four group namesShowHide
Yellow: PUT
Green: DRESS SHIRT MEASUREMENTS
Blue: 2000S INDIE ROCK BANDS, WITH "THE"
Purple: STARTS OF NYT PRINT PUZZLES
SpoilerReveal the yellow groupShowHide
PUT: PLACE, POSITION, SITUATE, STICK
SpoilerReveal the green groupShowHide
DRESS SHIRT MEASUREMENTS: CHEST, NECK, SLEEVE, WAIST
SpoilerReveal the blue groupShowHide
2000S INDIE ROCK BANDS, WITH "THE": DECEMBERISTS, NATIONAL, SHINS, WALKMEN
SpoilerReveal the purple groupShowHide
STARTS OF NYT PRINT PUZZLES: ACRO, CROSS, KEN, SUD