Connections Hints

Sunday, May 17, 2026

Words from the NYT Connections puzzle — May 17, 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.

BOIL
DUCT
FLEECE
GRADE
GRAMMAR
HIGH
HOSE
LINE
MAIN
PIPE
POUR
PRIMARY
SQUEEZE
STEEP
STIFF
STRAIN
↑ Back to top
Themes

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

CONDUITStraightforward
SWINDLEModerate
TEA-MAKING VERBSTricky
"SCHOOL" MODIFIERSDevious
↑ Back to top
One word per group

Theme name plus one word from each category.

CONDUITStraightforward
THESE WORDS ALL REFER TO SOMETHING THAT CARRIES OR CHANNELS FLOW+ 3 more…
SWINDLEModerate
THESE WORDS ALL MEAN TO CHEAT OR DEFRAUD SOMEONE+ 3 more…
TEA-MAKING VERBSTricky
THINGS YOU DO WHEN MAKING A CUP OF TEA+ 3 more…
"SCHOOL" MODIFIERSDevious
THESE WORDS PRECEDE 'SCHOOL' TO NAME A TYPE OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION+ 3 more…
↑ Back to top
Full solution
CONDUITStraightforward
DUCT,LINE,MAIN,PIPE

DUCT, LINE, MAIN, and PIPE are all words for a conduit — a channel or passageway that carries something from one place to another

SWINDLEModerate
FLEECE,HOSE,SQUEEZE,STIFF

FLEECE, HOSE, SQUEEZE, and STIFF are all informal verbs meaning to swindle or cheat someone out of money or resources

TEA-MAKING VERBSTricky
BOIL,POUR,STEEP,STRAIN

BOIL, POUR, STEEP, and STRAIN are all actions performed in the process of brewing a cup of tea

"SCHOOL" MODIFIERSDevious
GRADE,GRAMMAR,HIGH,PRIMARY

GRADE, GRAMMAR, HIGH, and PRIMARY can all precede 'school' to form a type of school (grade school, grammar school, high school, primary school)

↑ Back to top