NYT Connections Today, Tuesday February 17: Hints, Clues & Answers (Game #982)

NYT Connections 17 February, 2026: Word puzzles are now an everyday routine for millions of people worldwide and among word puzzles, NYT Connections has become extremely popular in no time. Since its inception by The New York Times, Puzzle #982 on Tuesday, February 17, has attracted hundreds of thousands of loyal followers and the Puzzle offers another complex experience involving wordplay, speed and creativity.

What is NYT Connections?

Connections is a daily word puzzle that involves using 16 words, which you then divide into groups of four with the groups being based on common themes. Each of the groups has a difficulty ranking, from least difficult to most abstract unlike other fast-paced word games, Connections rewards pattern recognition and attention to details. You can make up to four mistakes before the game ends.

How to Play NYT Connections

• Review the 16 words presented in the grid.
• Identify four words that share a clear connection.
• Select the four words and submit the group.
• Avoid incorrect combinations, as only four mistakes are allowed.
• Continue sorting until all four categories are correctly identified.

Today’s Connections Words for 17 February (Tuesday)

• PLUM
• LEAF
• FLASH
• BUSTLE
• THUMB
• OYSTER
• FLOPPY
• ZIP
• SKIM
• SOY
• DART
• BOMBAY
• SPEED
• FLIP
• HOISIN
• MISSUS

Today’s Connections Hints for 17 February (Tuesday)

• Yellow: Words linked to rapid movement
• Green: Common ingredients in Chinese cooking
• Blue: Actions meaning to browse quickly
• Purple: Words that begin with synonyms for “dud”

NYT Connections Answers for 17 February (#982)

• Yellow: DART, FLASH, SPEED, ZIP
• Green: HOISIN, OYSTER, PLUM, SOY
• Blue: FLIP, LEAF, SKIM, THUMB
• Purple: BOMBAY, BUSTLE, FLOPPY, MISSUS

The yellow group centers on motion and quickness, the green set focuses on sauces widely used in Chinese cuisine while blue highlights verbs associated with flipping through pages and purple is the trickiest, each word beginning with a term that can mean failure.

FAQ's NYT Connections

1. Is NYT Connections free to play?

   Yes, it is available online through The New York Times Games platform.

2. How many mistakes are allowed?

   Players can make up to four incorrect guesses.

3. What do the colors mean?

   They represent difficulty levels, with yellow generally easiest and purple hardest.

4. Does the puzzle reset daily?

   Yes, a new puzzle appears every day at midnight local time.

5. Is it similar to Wordle?

   While both are word games from The New York Times, Connections focuses on grouping words rather than guessing a single term.

Connections continues to grow because it blends logic with language and it challenges instinct while rewarding patience, a combination that keeps players returning each morning.