NYT Connections Today, Sunday February 15: Hints, Clues & Answers (Game #980)

NYT Connections 15 February, 2026: Word puzzles continue to influence many of our daily behaviors, and none have grown as quickly as the NYT Connections puzzle. Created by the New York Times as part of its effort to expand its offerings of word games, it joins Wordle and the Crossword as one of the daily habits of thousands of users. On its 980th game with the date Sunday, February 15, users are encouraged to think creatively, pay attention to subtle details, and avoid being misled by cunning tricks.

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is a daily word association game with 16 words to associate into four groups with a unifying theme and the groups are color-coded based on the level of difficulty: yellow for easiest, green for medium, blue for harder and purple for the most difficult. The solver has up to four mistakes allowed. In some cases, the fourth set can be deduced through logic, but generally, the puzzles involve wordplay and the use of homophones that are designed to deceive experienced solvers.

How to Play NYT Connections

• Review all 16 words carefully before making selections.
• Identify four words that share a clear common link.
• Submit the group to see if it matches a category.
• Use logic and elimination after confirming correct sets.
• Avoid rushing, as many words fit more than one theme.
• You can make up to four incorrect guesses before the game ends.

Today’s Connections Words for 15 February (Sunday)

• CALLIOPE
• SUPERIORITY
• RINGMASTER
• ATLAS
• OEDIPUS
• BUZZARD
• ECHO
• ELECTRA
• TRACE
• DIALECT
• INFERIORITY
• DICTIONARY
• THESAURUS
• REMINDER
• ENCYCLOPEDIA
• VESTIGE

Today’s Connections Hints for 15 February (Sunday)

• Yellow: Informative volumes
• Green: The stirring of recollections
• Blue: Psychological issues
• Purple: Starting with analog contacts

NYT Connections Answers for 15 February (#980)

• Yellow – Reference Books: ATLAS, DICTIONARY, ENCYCLOPEDIA, THESAURUS
• Green – Something That Brings Back Memories: ECHO, REMINDER, TRACE, VESTIGE
• Blue – Kinds of Complexes: ELECTRA, INFERIORITY, OEDIPUS, SUPERIORITY
• Purple – Starting With Ways to Reach Someone via Phone: BUZZARD, CALLIOPE, DIALECT, RINGMASTER

Today’s puzzle required attention to both academic terminology and psychological theory, with the purple category demanding the most creative leap.

FAQ's NYT Connections

1. Is NYT Connections free to play?
Yes, it is available daily on the NYT Games website and mobile platform.

2. How many mistakes can you make?
Players can make up to four incorrect guesses.

3. Does the difficulty change daily?
Yes, some days are noticeably trickier depending on wordplay and theme overlap.

4. What makes purple the hardest category?
Purple typically involves abstract connections or unexpected wordplay.

5. Can previous puzzles be replayed?
Archived puzzles may require a subscription for full access.