Need help with Connections #626, from Wednesday, February 26, 2025? Start with the spoiler-light hints below and stop when you have enough to solve it. The full category names and all 16 answers are farther down.
Hints for Connections #626
Use these clues in order; each one gives more away. The first four are category-level hints, and the next four offer one representative word from each group.
- EXPENDITURE
- ONETIME
- MADE WITH HORIZONTAL LINES
- SIMPSON FAMILY MEMBERS WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED
Want a stronger nudge without seeing every group? One word from each category is CHARGE, FORMER, DASH, and BAGGIE.
Connections #626 answers
Stop here if you are still solving: the complete groups and their explanations follow.
#1 Best Overall
| Category | Words | Why they fit |
|---|---|---|
| EXPENDITURE | CHARGE, COST, PRICE, RATE | Each can refer to an amount charged or paid. |
| ONETIME | FORMER, LATE, PAST, PRIOR | Each means previous or no longer current. |
| MADE WITH HORIZONTAL LINES | DASH, HYPHEN, MINUS, UNDERSCORE | Each can be represented by a horizontal stroke. |
| SIMPSON FAMILY MEMBERS WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED | BAGGIE, BARGE, COMER, PISA | Change each first letter to get Maggie, Marge, Homer, and Lisa. |
A quick approach to solving a Connections board
For this puzzle, a useful general tactic is to look for pairs or triples that seem related, then test whether the remaining words complete a fourth-word group. The Try Hard Guides explanation describes that approach, but it is secondary-source advice rather than a verified statement of current New York Times rules: Try Hard Guides’ Connections answers page.
Quick Recap
Rank #2
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