Connections Hints

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Words from the NYT Connections puzzle — June 9, 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.

ANGEL
ASTERISK
AXE
BABE
BONE
DEGREE
DOVE
EXPONENT
KEYS
LAMB
PASSWORD
SECRET
SKINS
SPOILER
SURPRISE
TRADEMARK
↑ Back to top
Themes

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

SYMBOLS OF INNOCENCEStraightforward
THINGS YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO REVEALModerate
THINGS REPRESENTED IN SUPERSCRIPTTricky
SLANG FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTSDevious
↑ Back to top
One word per group

Theme name plus one word from each category.

SYMBOLS OF INNOCENCEStraightforward
PURE AND UNTAINTED FIGURES OFTEN USED TO REPRESENT GOODNESS+ 3 more…
THINGS YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO REVEALModerate
THINGS THAT LOSE THEIR POWER ONCE THEY'RE OUT IN THE OPEN+ 3 more…
THINGS REPRESENTED IN SUPERSCRIPTTricky
THESE CHARACTERS FLOAT ABOVE THE LINE IN TEXT OR MATH+ 3 more…
SLANG FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTSDevious
MUSICIANS HAVE THEIR OWN NICKNAMES FOR THESE INSTRUMENTS+ 3 more…
↑ Back to top
Full solution
SYMBOLS OF INNOCENCEStraightforward
ANGEL,BABE,DOVE,LAMB

ANGEL, BABE, DOVE, and LAMB are all classic symbols associated with innocence, purity, and gentleness.

THINGS YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO REVEALModerate
PASSWORD,SECRET,SPOILER,SURPRISE

PASSWORD, SECRET, SPOILER, and SURPRISE are all things you're not supposed to reveal, as disclosing them ruins or compromises their purpose.

THINGS REPRESENTED IN SUPERSCRIPTTricky
ASTERISK,DEGREE,EXPONENT,TRADEMARK

ASTERISK, DEGREE, EXPONENT, and TRADEMARK are all commonly written or displayed in superscript — raised above the baseline text.

SLANG FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTSDevious
AXE,BONE,KEYS,SKINS

AXE (guitar), BONE (trombone), KEYS (keyboard/piano), and SKINS (drums) are all slang terms used by musicians for their instruments.

↑ Back to top