NYT CONNECTIONS HELP
Today’s Connections Hints
Thursday, October 8, 2026 Puzzle #1215
Archive →FOOLHARDY, THANKS and STOOGES can point in more than one direction on today's board. Check a word meaning first, take a small group hint, or reveal the answers only when you're ready.
Words in Today’s Puzzle
16 wordsSelect a word to see its meaning and why it may be tricky.
FOOLHARDY
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
Reckless or daring without enough thought for danger.
Why It May Be Tricky
Its ordinary meaning is real, but the exact ending of the printed tile also matters.
MINDS
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
As a verb, pays attention to or obeys; as a noun, intellects.
Why It May Be Tricky
The plural noun reading can distract from the verb used in the answer.
THANKS
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
An expression of gratitude.
Why It May Be Tricky
It looks like a closing message, but the visible letters hide another reading.
STOOGES
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
Assistants or comic foils; the Three Stooges are a familiar trio.
Why It May Be Tricky
A performance reading may distract from the number associated with the name.
BEST
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
The finest; as a verb, to defeat or surpass.
Why It May Be Tricky
The puzzle uses the verb, despite the familiar superlative adjective.
WISHES
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
Hopes or desires, often imagined as a set of three in stories.
Why It May Be Tricky
It can look like part of a greeting, but the count is the useful clue.
REGARDS
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
As a verb, considers or heeds; as a noun, greetings.
Why It May Be Tricky
The sign-off sense tempts a false set with THANKS and CHEERS.
ECLIPSE
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
To block light from a celestial body; figuratively, to outshine.
Why It May Be Tricky
The astronomical image hides the verb meaning needed here.
CHEERS
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
Toasts or shouts of approval; also an informal greeting.
Why It May Be Tricky
The phrase “three cheers” matters more than its use as a sign-off.
MULHOLLAND
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A surname and the name of a Los Angeles road.
Why It May Be Tricky
Treat the full printed tile as a name, then inspect its ending.
RESPECTS
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
As a verb, observes or obeys; as a noun, aspects or regards.
Why It May Be Tricky
The noun reading and the resemblance to REGARDS can both mislead.
STRIKES
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
Hits, work stoppages, or failed attempts.
Why It May Be Tricky
In baseball, three strikes complete the familiar count.
TOP
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
Highest point; as a verb, to exceed or outdo.
Why It May Be Tricky
The short verb sense is the one that groups with BEST.
AUTOCRUISE
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A compound-style printed tile containing AUTO and CRUISE; not a standard everyday word to define as a single noun.
Why It May Be Tricky
Read its exact spelling rather than inventing a dictionary definition.
HEEDS
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
Pays attention to or obeys.
Why It May Be Tricky
It is more direct than the other verbs in its group, which have several uses.
SURPASS
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
To exceed or do better than.
Why It May Be Tricky
Its meaning is straightforward; compare verb senses in the other tiles.
Connection Help
Choose any group and reveal only the help you want.
Today’s 16 Words
Small Nudge
Get a gentle hint without revealing the group.
Read these as verbs about following directions.
Group
Reveal the four words in this group.
HEEDS · MINDS · REGARDS · RESPECTS
Connection
Reveal what these four words have in common.
FOLLOWS, AS RULES
Why They Connect
See why these four words belong together.
HEEDS, MINDS, REGARDS and RESPECTS all mean to heed or comply with something, including rules. REGARDS and RESPECTS have other familiar noun senses, so keep the verb reading.
Small Nudge
Get a gentle hint without revealing the group.
Find four verbs for doing better than someone or something.
Group
Reveal the four words in this group.
BEST · ECLIPSE · SURPASS · TOP
Connection
Reveal what these four words have in common.
OUTDO
Why They Connect
See why these four words belong together.
BEST, ECLIPSE, SURPASS and TOP can all mean to outdo. BEST and TOP are verbs here, while ECLIPSE uses its figurative sense.
Small Nudge
Get a gentle hint without revealing the group.
A familiar number completes four phrases.
Group
Reveal the four words in this group.
CHEERS · STOOGES · STRIKES · WISHES
Connection
Reveal what these four words have in common.
THINGS THAT COME IN THREES
Why They Connect
See why these four words belong together.
Three cheers, the Three Stooges, three strikes and three wishes each supply the number three. These are four distinct familiar expressions.
Small Nudge
Get a gentle hint without revealing the group.
Look at the ends of the printed tiles.
Group
Reveal the four words in this group.
AUTOCRUISE · FOOLHARDY · MULHOLLAND · THANKS
Connection
Reveal what these four words have in common.
ENDING IN ACTORS NAMED TOM
Why They Connect
See why these four words belong together.
The endings are Tom CRUISE in AUTOCRUISE, Tom HARDY in FOOLHARDY, Tom HOLLAND in MULHOLLAND and Tom HANKS in T+HANKS. This is a letter-ending trick, not a claim about the ordinary meanings of the complete tiles.
Reveal All 4 Groups
See the four complete group answers only when you're ready.
Yellow Group
FOLLOWS, AS RULESHEEDS · MINDS · REGARDS · RESPECTS
Why They Connect
HEEDS, MINDS, REGARDS and RESPECTS all mean to heed or comply with something, including rules. REGARDS and RESPECTS have other familiar noun senses, so keep the verb reading.
Green Group
OUTDOBEST · ECLIPSE · SURPASS · TOP
Why They Connect
BEST, ECLIPSE, SURPASS and TOP can all mean to outdo. BEST and TOP are verbs here, while ECLIPSE uses its figurative sense.
Blue Group
THINGS THAT COME IN THREESCHEERS · STOOGES · STRIKES · WISHES
Why They Connect
Three cheers, the Three Stooges, three strikes and three wishes each supply the number three. These are four distinct familiar expressions.
Purple Group
ENDING IN ACTORS NAMED TOMAUTOCRUISE · FOOLHARDY · MULHOLLAND · THANKS
Why They Connect
The endings are Tom CRUISE in AUTOCRUISE, Tom HARDY in FOOLHARDY, Tom HOLLAND in MULHOLLAND and Tom HANKS in T+HANKS. This is a letter-ending trick, not a claim about the ordinary meanings of the complete tiles.
△ Tricky Connections
Some combinations look like they belong together, but aren't one of today's groups.
Do these four look like a message sign-off, or do they use different rules?
These can look like the language of a greeting or sign-off, but THANKS belongs to a spelling group, REGARDS is used as a verb, and CHEERS and WISHES belong to a count-based group.
Words in Today’s Puzzle
16 wordsSelect a word to see its meaning and why it may be tricky.
MUSICAL
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A stage production that combines songs, dialogue and performance.
Why It May Be Tricky
A stage meaning helps, but the official category is more specific.
CINNAMON
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A spice made from tree bark.
Why It May Be Tricky
Think of a baked item commonly named for this flavor.
TRIDENT
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A three-pronged spear.
Why It May Be Tricky
The opening TRI signals three even if you picture the weapon first.
HOT DOG
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A sausage served in a split roll.
Why It May Be Tricky
The roll, rather than the sausage, is the grouping clue.
STICKY
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
Adhesive or hard to remove.
Why It May Be Tricky
Pair it with a familiar baked bun.
SQUIRREL
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A small rodent; as a verb, to put something away.
Why It May Be Tricky
The animal picture can hide the verb phrase “squirrel away.”
MONOLOGUE
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A long speech by one speaker.
Why It May Be Tricky
MONO points to one; stage performance is a tempting decoy.
PLAY
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A dramatic work performed on stage; also a verb meaning to act or participate.
Why It May Be Tricky
The awards context is more precise than “theater.”
BANK
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A financial institution; as a verb, to keep or store.
Why It May Be Tricky
Its financial sense is the obvious distraction.
DICHOTOMY
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A division into two contrasting parts.
Why It May Be Tricky
The beginning indicates two, rather than pointing to the topic of the whole word.
HAMBURGER
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A ground-meat sandwich served in a bun.
Why It May Be Tricky
Focus on what holds the filling.
STORE
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A shop; as a verb, to keep for later.
Why It May Be Tricky
The noun meaning does not fit the intended four verbs.
CHOREOGRAPHY
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
The design and arrangement of dance movements.
Why It May Be Tricky
An actual award category, not simply a general theater activity.
STASH
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
To hide or keep in reserve; also the hidden supply itself.
Why It May Be Tricky
Use its verb sense with BANK, SQUIRREL and STORE.
ORCHESTRATIONS
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
Arrangements of music for instruments.
Why It May Be Tricky
The plural form matches the name of a Tony award category.
TETRACYCLINE
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A class of antibiotics.
Why It May Be Tricky
TETRA points to four, which is the puzzle clue.
Connection Help
Choose any group and reveal only the help you want.
Today’s 16 Words
Small Nudge
Get a gentle hint without revealing the group.
These can all mean putting something away.
Group
Reveal the four words in this group.
BANK · SQUIRREL · STASH · STORE
Connection
Reveal what these four words have in common.
SAVE FOR LATER
Why They Connect
See why these four words belong together.
BANK, SQUIRREL, STASH and STORE can each work as a verb for saving something for later. SQUIRREL is used in the phrase “squirrel away.”
Small Nudge
Get a gentle hint without revealing the group.
Look for a shared bakery item.
Group
Reveal the four words in this group.
CINNAMON · HAMBURGER · HOT DOG · STICKY
Connection
Reveal what these four words have in common.
KINDS OF BUNS
Why They Connect
See why these four words belong together.
CINNAMON, HAMBURGER, HOT DOG and STICKY each precede BUN to name a kind of bun.
Small Nudge
Get a gentle hint without revealing the group.
Pay attention to beginnings associated with numbers.
Group
Reveal the four words in this group.
DICHOTOMY · MONOLOGUE · TETRACYCLINE · TRIDENT
Connection
Reveal what these four words have in common.
GREEK NUMERICAL PREFIXES
Why They Connect
See why these four words belong together.
DICHO- in DICHOTOMY relates to two; MONO- in MONOLOGUE to one; TETRA- in TETRACYCLINE to four; TRI- in TRIDENT to three.
Small Nudge
Get a gentle hint without revealing the group.
What formal recognition could these follow?
Group
Reveal the four words in this group.
CHOREOGRAPHY · MUSICAL · ORCHESTRATIONS · PLAY
Connection
Reveal what these four words have in common.
BEST ___ TONY AWARDS
Why They Connect
See why these four words belong together.
CHOREOGRAPHY, MUSICAL, ORCHESTRATIONS and PLAY each complete a Best ___ category at the Tony Awards. Their shared link is the award category wording, not merely that they can appear on stage.
Reveal All 4 Groups
See the four complete group answers only when you're ready.
Yellow Group
SAVE FOR LATERBANK · SQUIRREL · STASH · STORE
Why They Connect
BANK, SQUIRREL, STASH and STORE can each work as a verb for saving something for later. SQUIRREL is used in the phrase “squirrel away.”
Green Group
KINDS OF BUNSCINNAMON · HAMBURGER · HOT DOG · STICKY
Why They Connect
CINNAMON, HAMBURGER, HOT DOG and STICKY each precede BUN to name a kind of bun.
Blue Group
GREEK NUMERICAL PREFIXESDICHOTOMY · MONOLOGUE · TETRACYCLINE · TRIDENT
Why They Connect
DICHO- in DICHOTOMY relates to two; MONO- in MONOLOGUE to one; TETRA- in TETRACYCLINE to four; TRI- in TRIDENT to three.
Purple Group
BEST ___ TONY AWARDSCHOREOGRAPHY · MUSICAL · ORCHESTRATIONS · PLAY
Why They Connect
CHOREOGRAPHY, MUSICAL, ORCHESTRATIONS and PLAY each complete a Best ___ category at the Tony Awards. Their shared link is the award category wording, not merely that they can appear on stage.
△ Tricky Connections
Some combinations look like they belong together, but aren't one of today's groups.
Do both belong in a general stage-performance group?
Both suggest a stage, but MUSICAL is an awards category here while MONOLOGUE contributes a numerical prefix.
Words in Today’s Puzzle
16 wordsSelect a word to see its meaning and why it may be tricky.
ADIRONDACK
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A mountain region in New York; also a recognizable sloped-back chair style.
Why It May Be Tricky
The place-name reading is plausible, but a furniture meaning matters.
KNICKKNACK
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A small decorative object or trinket.
Why It May Be Tricky
The final KNACK names a talent; this is spelling play, not the object's meaning.
CATSKILL
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A mountain region and a place name.
Why It May Be Tricky
The ending SKILL, not the geography, drives its group.
HOLIDAY
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
Time away from work or a celebration.
Why It May Be Tricky
The hotel name Holiday Inn changes its role here.
COMFORT
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
Physical or emotional ease.
Why It May Be Tricky
Add INN after the tile to get the hotel brand.
BERKSHIRE
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A place name and the first word in Berkshire Hathaway.
Why It May Be Tricky
The place-name surface can pull it toward ADIRONDACK and WINDSOR.
STABILITY
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
The condition of being steady or dependable.
Why It May Be Tricky
The written ending ABILITY is the clue; no claim about word origin is needed.
HAMPTON
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A surname or place name.
Why It May Be Tricky
With INN, it names a hotel brand.
WINDSOR
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A place name and a traditional chair style.
Why It May Be Tricky
Its geography is a decoy beside other locations on the board.
MERRILL
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A surname and a name used by a financial firm.
Why It May Be Tricky
The intended group uses a shortened firm name, not a person.
WINGBACK
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A high-backed chair with side wings; also a football position.
Why It May Be Tricky
The sports meaning can hide the furniture answer.
DAYS
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
Plural of day.
Why It May Be Tricky
With INN it forms a hotel brand, rather than a time group.
CITI
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A financial-services brand form.
Why It May Be Tricky
The unusual spelling is the brand, not a typo for CITY.
PIANOFORTE
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A formal or older term for piano.
Why It May Be Tricky
The ending FORTE means a strength or talent in this spelling group.
EAMES
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A surname associated with celebrated chair designs.
Why It May Be Tricky
A designer's name may look unlike a chair type until the design context is clear.
GOLDMAN
A familiar word with several possible readings.
Meaning
A surname and shortened reference to a financial firm.
Why It May Be Tricky
The puzzle groups firm names, not ordinary surname meanings.
Connection Help
Choose any group and reveal only the help you want.
Today’s 16 Words
Small Nudge
Get a gentle hint without revealing the group.
Think of well-known firms by their shorter names.
Group
Reveal the four words in this group.
BERKSHIRE · CITI · GOLDMAN · MERRILL
Connection
Reveal what these four words have in common.
FINANCIAL FIRMS, FOR SHORT
Why They Connect
See why these four words belong together.
BERKSHIRE, CITI, GOLDMAN and MERRILL are familiar shortened financial-firm names. Their full identities are not needed to submit the group.
Small Nudge
Get a gentle hint without revealing the group.
One item is linked to a designer; all are for sitting.
Group
Reveal the four words in this group.
ADIRONDACK · EAMES · WINDSOR · WINGBACK
Connection
Reveal what these four words have in common.
KINDS OF CHAIRS
Why They Connect
See why these four words belong together.
ADIRONDACK, EAMES, WINDSOR and WINGBACK are chair styles or recognized chair types. EAMES is a designer name applied to chair designs.
Small Nudge
Get a gentle hint without revealing the group.
Try adding the same lodging word after each tile.
Group
Reveal the four words in this group.
COMFORT · DAYS · HAMPTON · HOLIDAY
Connection
Reveal what these four words have in common.
___ INN HOTELS
Why They Connect
See why these four words belong together.
COMFORT, DAYS, HAMPTON and HOLIDAY all make hotel brands when followed by INN.
Small Nudge
Get a gentle hint without revealing the group.
The ends of these long words hide abilities or strengths.
Group
Reveal the four words in this group.
CATSKILL · KNICKKNACK · PIANOFORTE · STABILITY
Connection
Reveal what these four words have in common.
ENDING IN TALENTS
Why They Connect
See why these four words belong together.
CATSKILL ends in SKILL; KNICKKNACK ends in KNACK; PIANOFORTE ends in FORTE; STABILITY ends in ABILITY. The grouping is based on spelling, not shared word origins.
Reveal All 4 Groups
See the four complete group answers only when you're ready.
Yellow Group
FINANCIAL FIRMS, FOR SHORTBERKSHIRE · CITI · GOLDMAN · MERRILL
Why They Connect
BERKSHIRE, CITI, GOLDMAN and MERRILL are familiar shortened financial-firm names. Their full identities are not needed to submit the group.
Green Group
KINDS OF CHAIRSADIRONDACK · EAMES · WINDSOR · WINGBACK
Why They Connect
ADIRONDACK, EAMES, WINDSOR and WINGBACK are chair styles or recognized chair types. EAMES is a designer name applied to chair designs.
Blue Group
___ INN HOTELSCOMFORT · DAYS · HAMPTON · HOLIDAY
Why They Connect
COMFORT, DAYS, HAMPTON and HOLIDAY all make hotel brands when followed by INN.
Purple Group
ENDING IN TALENTSCATSKILL · KNICKKNACK · PIANOFORTE · STABILITY
Why They Connect
CATSKILL ends in SKILL; KNICKKNACK ends in KNACK; PIANOFORTE ends in FORTE; STABILITY ends in ABILITY. The grouping is based on spelling, not shared word origins.
△ Tricky Connections
Some combinations look like they belong together, but aren't one of today's groups.
Are these three place names meant to stay together?
All can read as place names, but they split across financial-firm, chair and hotel groups.
Keep Solving
How Our Connections Hints Work
Today’s Connections hints are designed to help you solve the puzzle without revealing more than you want. Start with Word Help if you are unsure about a word’s meaning or how it may be used in today’s puzzle. If you need help finding a group, open a Small Nudge for a spoiler-controlled clue.
You can also reveal the four words in a group, reveal the connection they share, or read a short explanation of why the words belong together. If you are finished guessing, Reveal All 4 Groups shows the complete Connections answers with all four groups, their shared connections and explanations.
Each Connections puzzle contains 16 words that form four groups of four. The connections may depend on word meanings, common phrases, names, categories, wordplay or other relationships between the words. WeirdThings lets you choose exactly how much help you want at each point in the puzzle.