Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteNeed a nudge before the answers? This guide offers graduated hints for NYT Connections game #978, dated Friday, February 13, 2026, followed by the complete spoiler-marked answer key.
Hints for Connections game #978
The sixteen words are WAYNE, PARLIAMENT, STANDARD, LESSON, KENT, SYNC, SHEER, COLORS, STARK, CAMEL, BANNER, UTTER, RESEED, PURE, FLAG and SALEM. Try the clues in order; each one points toward a category without giving away its full membership.
- Yellow: Think of words meaning completely or absolutely.
- Green: These are things that can be carried or waved as symbols.
- Blue: Look for familiar names on tobacco packets.
- Purple: These words sound like verbs meaning to become smaller or diminish.
TechRadar and Forbes published the same four categories and answer words for this game: TechRadar’s February 13 guide and Forbes’ February 13 guide.
Full answers for February 13
Spoilers below: the categories and all sixteen answers follow.
| Color | Category | Words |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | DOWNRIGHT | PURE, SHEER, STARK, UTTER |
| Green | PENNANT | BANNER, COLORS, FLAG, STANDARD |
| Blue | CIGARETTE BRANDS | CAMEL, KENT, PARLIAMENT, SALEM |
| Purple | HOMOPHONES OF WAYS TO GET SMALLER | LESSON, RESEED, SYNC, WAYNE |
Why the purple group fits
The purple category uses sound-alikes: LESSON sounds like “lessen,” RESEED like “recede,” SYNC like “sink,” and WAYNE like “wane.” Each corresponding verb describes becoming smaller or diminishing.
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A tempting false grouping
Forbes writer Kris Holt said WAYNE, KENT, STARK and BANNER initially suggested surnames associated with superhero alter egos, but that combination was a red herring. The cigarette-brand group instead uses CAMEL, KENT, PARLIAMENT and SALEM. Holt also described the puzzle as feeling “on the tougher side”; that is his personal impression, not a published player-difficulty statistic.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to play and replay the puzzle
The New York Times Help Center says Connections is free to play and lists the Games app, the Connections website, nytimes.com/theathletic and the News app as access points. A NYT account is recommended if you want progress retained across devices. The daily game releases at midnight in your timezone, so its local calendar date can differ by location. See the NYT Connections Help Center page.
The official archive covers puzzles from June 12, 2023 onward, but replay access is limited to All Access and Games subscribers. Archive games can affect certain statistics, but not current or maximum streaks. These archive details are also described on the NYT Help Center page.
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