New York: You know that feeling—staring at the NYT Connections grid for way too long, convinced the yellow category should be green, and wondering if Lovelace really has anything to do with Hawking. If you’ve already rearranged the words ten different ways and are still stuck, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Today’s June 26 Connections puzzle is a little sneaky but definitely solvable with the right nudge.
Whether you’re a daily player chasing that perfect score or just here to decode the color groups over coffee, we’ve got your back. This guide gives you just the right amount of help—hints without spoilers, so you can still feel that sweet dopamine rush when you solve it yourself.
So take a deep breath, scroll slowly, and get the clarity you need. Below are your spoiler-free hints for all four categories—and one connection that may be trickier than it looks.
Connections Hint Today: June 26, 2025
🟨 Yellow Category Hint
Think common nicknames or diminutives—these words all sound familiar, but not in their full form.
🟩 Green Category Hint
This one’s easy if you’re into computer history or pioneering minds. There’s a clear theme of innovators and tech trailblazers.
🟦 Blue Category Hint
These are words tied together by the idea of defeat or surrender—but not all are obvious at first glance.
🟪 Purple Category Hint
It’s the trickiest one today. These words all relate to game mechanics or video games, but one might throw you off if you’re not a gamer.
The Tricky Pair: Lovelace and Hawking
Stuck on Lovelace and Hawking? You’re not imagining things—they are both deeply associated with science and computing. Ada Lovelace is often credited as the world’s first computer programmer, while Stephen Hawking revolutionized theoretical physics. Pair them with others like Turing or Tesla, and you’ll be on the right track.
But be careful—today’s Connections puzzle is designed to confuse players with overlapping themes (like science vs. invention vs. games), so don’t trust first instincts. Ask yourself what connects their legacy, not just their fame.
A Few Nudge-Free Tips for Solving NYT Connections
Start with word associations you’re confident about.
- Look for plurality or shared word roots (like -ing or -ed).
- Eliminate obvious red herrings—today’s puzzle has a couple.
- Don’t overthink—sometimes the yellow group is simply slang or abbreviations.
