NYT Connections 04 February, 2026: Word games have quietly become one of the most consumed daily digital habits. According to recent engagement data from puzzle platforms, over 10 million players worldwide attempt at least one daily word game, with NYT Connections ranking among the fastest-growing unlike quick-solve puzzles, Connections rewards patience, pattern recognition and lateral thinking, making it a daily ritual for serious puzzle fans.
What is NYT Connections?
NYT Connections is a daily word association game from The New York Times where yoou are presented with 16 words that, at first glance, have no connection to each other, and you have to put them into four groups of four, each with its own theme. When you get a group right, it locks in but if you make a mistake, it costs you in a limited mistake budget. The game gets progressively harder with clever overlaps that hide obvious answers, and this is why most people complete only the first two groups.
How to Play NYT Connections
- You are given 16 words arranged randomly
- Your goal is to find four groups of four related words
- Each group represents a hidden common theme
- You can make up to four incorrect attempts
- Color tiers indicate difficulty, from easiest to hardest
- One group can be solved through elimination
- The puzzle resets daily at midnight local time
Today’s Connections Words for 04 February (Wednesday)
- FRICTION
- MAGICAL
- HEATED
- RIVALRY
- BOUT
- CONFLICT
- LIKE
- WAR
- NETSCAPE
- BINGO
- BULLSEYE
- DISCORD
- LOTTERY
- ROUND
- APPROX
- CRAPS
Today’s Connections Hints for 04 February (Wednesday)
- YELLOW: Words linked to tension or disagreement
- GREEN: Games where luck outweighs skill
- BLUE: Casual ways of saying “approximately”
- PURPLE: Words that begin with NBA team names
NYT Connections Answers for 04 February (#969)
- YELLOW: Contention
- CONFLICT, DISCORD, FRICTION, RIVALRY
- GREEN: Games of Chance
- BINGO, CRAPS, LOTTERY, WAR
- BLUE: More or Less, Colloquially
- APPROX, BOUT, LIKE, ROUND
- PURPLE: Starting With NBA Teams
- BULLSEYE, HEATED, MAGICAL, NETSCAPE
FAQ’s NYT Connections
Is NYT Connections free to play?
Yes, it is available daily on the NYT Games website without a subscription.
How difficult is Connections compared to Wordle?
Players report a higher cognitive load, with average solve times nearly double.
What does the word discord mean?
Discord refers to a lack of harmony or agreement, often involving arguments, tension or ongoing disagreement between people or groups.
Why is the purple category so hard?
It often relies on indirect or multi-layered associations.
What improves success rates?
Eliminating overlaps and spotting misleading similarities early.
