NYT Connections 14 May, 2026: Word puzzle culture has exploded over the last few years and one of the biggest success stories has been The New York Times game, Connections while following the success of Wordle, the daily puzzle has attracted millions of regular players worldwide. According to industry estimates and gaming trend reports, daily word-based puzzle engagement increased by more than 35% globally between 2022 and 2025, with NYT games becoming a major driver of digital subscriptions. Connections stands out because it blends vocabulary, logic, pop culture and pattern recognition into one deceptively simple challenge.
For Thursday, 14 May, puzzle #1068 delivered another clever mix of categories ranging from intuition-related words to modern dating slang and some groups were straightforward, while others demanded lateral thinking and cultural awareness.
What is NYT Connections?
Connections is a daily word association puzzle published by The New York Times Game where players are presented with 16 words and must divide them into four groups of four linked by a shared theme and each category is color-coded by difficulty:
- Yellow: Easiest
- Green: Moderate
- Blue: Difficult
- Purple: Most challenging
The puzzle has become particularly popular among younger audiences and casual gamers because it combines language skills with trending cultural references. Reports suggest NYT Games crossed millions of active monthly users in recent years, with Connections becoming one of its fastest-growing puzzle formats.
How to Play NYT Connections
- Players receive 16 random words
- The goal is to create four groups of related terms
- Each group contains exactly four connected words
- Categories may involve slang, phrases, objects, idioms, or themes
- Only four mistakes are allowed before the game ends
- Categories increase in difficulty from Yellow to Purple
- New puzzles are released daily at midnight
Today’s Connections Words for 14 May (Thursday)
- GUT FEELING
- HUNCH
- INTUITION
- SIXTH SENSE
- DO NOT DISTURB
- RING
- SILENT
- VIBRATE
- BREADCRUMB
- CATFISH
- GHOST
- LOVE BOMB
- AIR CAIRO
- ALL HALLOWS
- ARM WARMER
- THE OTHERS
Today’s Connections Hints for 14 May (Thursday)
- Yellow: Trusting internal instincts
- Green: Settings commonly found on smartphones
- Blue: Toxic or manipulative dating behaviors
- Purple: Phrases where one word secretly contains another
NYT Connections Answers for 14 May (#1068)
YELLOW: Premonition
- GUT FEELING
- HUNCH
- INTUITION
- SIXTH SENSE
GREEN: Cellphone Modes
- DO NOT DISTURB
- RING
- SILENT
- VIBRATE
BLUE: Bad Things To Do in Modern Dating
- BREADCRUMB
- CATFISH
- GHOST
- LOVE BOMB
PURPLE: Phrases Whose Second Words Include Their First Word
- AIR CAIRO
- ALL HALLOWS
- ARM WARMER
- THE OTHERS
Yesterday’s NYT Connections Answers for 13 May (#1067)
YELLOW: Long Sandwich
- GRINDER
- HERO
- HOAGIE
- SUB
GREEN: Pretext
- ARGUMENT
- BASIS
- CAUSE
- GROUNDS
BLUE: Smartphone Photo Editing Options
- ADJUST
- CROP
- FILTERS
- MARKUP
PURPLE: Jelly_____
- BEAN
- BELLY
- DONUT
- ROLL
Tips to Solve NYT Connections
- Start with the most obvious word pairings first
- Avoid rushing into categories too quickly
- Watch for double meanings and slang
- Purple categories often involve wordplay or hidden patterns
- Read all 16 words several times before selecting
- Eliminate unrelated words methodically
- Stay updated with internet slang and pop culture references
- Practice daily to improve pattern recognition speed
FAQ’s NYT Connections
1. Is NYT Connections free to play?
Yes, the puzzle can be played daily on the NYT Games website and mobile app, though some features may require a subscription.
2. What time does the new puzzle release?
A new Connections puzzle is released every day at midnight local time.
3. Why is the Purple category difficult?
Purple categories usually involve hidden word tricks, phrases, puns, or unconventional logic.
4. Can players share their results?
Yes, players can share color-grid results on social media without revealing answers.
5. Is Connections harder than Wordle?
Many players consider Connections more challenging because it requires thematic grouping instead of guessing a single word.
Disclaimer: Solutions and hints are for guidance only; all NYT Connections content is The New York Times and remains their intellectual property.
