Connections Hints

Monday, February 16, 2026

Words from the NYT Connections puzzle — February 16, 2026

Jump to a hint level
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
← Back to hint toolLoad any date with the interactive hint ladder
Word grid

All 16 words, sorted alphabetically. Group them into four categories of four.

BUCK
CACKLE
CLUCK
DO
DOE
DOH
DOUGH
FAWN
FIGHT
FLIGHT
FREEZE
HOOT
LAUGH
RIOT
SCREAM
SQUAWK
↑ Back to top
Themes

The four category names, easiest to hardest. No words revealed yet.

KNEE SLAPPERStraightforward
HOMOPHONESModerate
SOUNDS A CHICKEN MAKESTricky
STRESS RESPONSESDevious
↑ Back to top
One word per group

Theme name plus one word from each category.

KNEE SLAPPERStraightforward
WORDS MEANING SOMETHING HILARIOUS OR UPROARIOUSLY FUNNY+ 3 more…
HOMOPHONESModerate
THESE FOUR WORDS ALL SOUND THE SAME WHEN SPOKEN ALOUD+ 3 more…
SOUNDS A CHICKEN MAKESTricky
NOISES YOU MIGHT HEAR IN A HENHOUSE+ 3 more…
STRESS RESPONSESDevious
THE FOUR SURVIVAL INSTINCTS TRIGGERED BY PERCEIVED DANGER OR TRAUMA+ 3 more…
↑ Back to top
Full solution
KNEE SLAPPERStraightforward
HOOT,LAUGH,RIOT,SCREAM

HOOT, LAUGH, RIOT, and SCREAM are all informal words for something extremely funny or a hilarious experience.

HOMOPHONESModerate
DO,DOE,DOH,DOUGH

DO, DOE, DOH, and DOUGH are homophones — four different spellings that share the same pronunciation.

SOUNDS A CHICKEN MAKESTricky
BUCK,CACKLE,CLUCK,SQUAWK

BUCK, CACKLE, CLUCK, and SQUAWK are all sounds associated with chickens.

STRESS RESPONSESDevious
FAWN,FIGHT,FLIGHT,FREEZE

FAWN, FIGHT, FLIGHT, and FREEZE are the four recognized stress/trauma responses in psychology.

↑ Back to top