Connections Hints
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Words from the NYT Connections puzzle — February 26, 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.
ATTENTION
CALLBACK
CHECK
CROSSROADS
DRUMROLL
GRASSHOPPER
LANDMARK
MILESTONE
PRETTY
PUNCHLINE
SETUP
SHAMROCK
STATUE OF LIBERTY
TIMING
WASABI
WATERSHED
Themes
The four category names, easiest to hardest. No words revealed yet.
PIVOTAL POINTStraightforward
GREEN THINGSModerate
ELEMENTS OF JOKE-TELLINGTricky
"___ PLEASE"Devious
One word per group
Theme name plus one word from each category.
PIVOTAL POINTStraightforward
WORDS FOR A TURNING POINT OR DEFINING MOMENT IN TIME+ 3 more…
GREEN THINGSModerate
THINGS THAT ARE FAMOUSLY GREEN IN COLOR+ 3 more…
ELEMENTS OF JOKE-TELLINGTricky
KEY COMPONENTS THAT MAKE A JOKE WORK+ 3 more…
"___ PLEASE"Devious
THESE WORDS COMPLETE THE PHRASE '___ PLEASE'+ 3 more…
Full solution
PIVOTAL POINTStraightforward
CROSSROADS,LANDMARK,MILESTONE,WATERSHED
CROSSROADS, LANDMARK, MILESTONE, and WATERSHED all describe a significant or defining moment or point of change.
GREEN THINGSModerate
GRASSHOPPER,SHAMROCK,STATUE OF LIBERTY,WASABI
GRASSHOPPER, SHAMROCK, STATUE OF LIBERTY, and WASABI are all well-known green things.
ELEMENTS OF JOKE-TELLINGTricky
CALLBACK,PUNCHLINE,SETUP,TIMING
CALLBACK, PUNCHLINE, SETUP, and TIMING are all essential elements of joke-telling and comedy craft.
"___ PLEASE"Devious
ATTENTION,CHECK,DRUMROLL,PRETTY
ATTENTION, CHECK, DRUMROLL, and PRETTY all precede the word 'please' to form common phrases: 'Attention please,' 'Check please,' 'Drumroll please,' and 'Pretty please.'