Connections Hints
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Words from the NYT Connections puzzle — January 14, 2026
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Show the word gridAll 16 words — you figure out the groups
Show the themesCategory names only, no words revealed
One word per groupTheme name + one word per category
Full solutionAll words and explanations
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Word grid
All 16 words, sorted alphabetically. Group them into four categories of four.
ACCOUNT
AUCTION
CLIENT
CONSUMER
FAST
FIRM
FROSTY
MISTLETOE
MOVIE
PARTNER
RAINMAKER
SECURE
SNOWMAN
TIGHT
TREATMENT
USER
Themes
The four category names, easiest to hardest. No words revealed yet.
FIXEDStraightforward
RECEIVER OF GOODS OR SERVICESModerate
STARTING WITH WEATHER CONDITIONSTricky
SILENT ___Devious
One word per group
Theme name plus one word from each category.
FIXEDStraightforward
THESE WORDS ALL MEAN SECURELY HELD IN PLACE OR UNMOVING+ 3 more…
RECEIVER OF GOODS OR SERVICESModerate
THESE ARE ALL WORDS FOR SOMEONE WHO RECEIVES A PRODUCT OR SERVICE+ 3 more…
STARTING WITH WEATHER CONDITIONSTricky
EACH WORD CONTAINS A TYPE OF WEATHER HIDDEN AT ITS START+ 3 more…
SILENT ___Devious
ADD THE SAME WORD BEFORE EACH OF THESE TO MAKE A FAMILIAR PHRASE+ 3 more…
Full solution
FIXEDStraightforward
FAST,FIRM,SECURE,TIGHT
FAST, FIRM, SECURE, and TIGHT are all synonyms meaning fixed or held firmly in place
RECEIVER OF GOODS OR SERVICESModerate
ACCOUNT,CLIENT,CONSUMER,USER
ACCOUNT, CLIENT, CONSUMER, and USER all refer to a person or entity that receives goods or services
STARTING WITH WEATHER CONDITIONSTricky
FROSTY,MISTLETOE,RAINMAKER,SNOWMAN
FROSTY (frost), MISTLETOE (mist), RAINMAKER (rain), and SNOWMAN (snow) all begin with a weather condition
SILENT ___Devious
AUCTION,MOVIE,PARTNER,TREATMENT
SILENT AUCTION, SILENT MOVIE, SILENT PARTNER, and SILENT TREATMENT are all common phrases using the word SILENT