NYT Connections #992 answers for Friday, February 27, 2026, are JUDAS, SNAKE, TRAITOR, TURNCOAT; AIR, IMPRESSION, MANNER, QUALITY; BUTTERFLY, DOMINO, RIPPLE, SNOWBALL; and BENCH, DRILL, FRENCH, PRINTING. Their categories are BACKSTABBER, AURA, chain-reaction “EFFECTS,” and ___ PRESS.
Spoiler-light hints appear first, followed by the complete groups and an explanation of how each connection works.
Key takeaways
- NYT Connections puzzle #992 was published Friday, February 27, 2026, with 16 words divided into four groups of four.
- The yellow group is BACKSTABBER: JUDAS, SNAKE, TRAITOR, and TURNCOAT.
- The green group is AURA: AIR, IMPRESSION, MANNER, and QUALITY.
- The blue group is KINDS OF CHAIN-REACTION “EFFECTS”: BUTTERFLY, DOMINO, RIPPLE, and SNOWBALL.
- The purple group is ___ PRESS: BENCH, DRILL, FRENCH, and PRINTING.
NYT Connections #992 hints for Friday, February 27
These spoiler-light clues point to the four groups without immediately giving away every word:
- Like a double agent.
- Ambiance that surrounds you.
- Ripple is another word that could be in this category.
- Freedom of the ____.
The hints correspond, in order, to BACKSTABBER, AURA, kinds of chain-reaction “EFFECTS,” and ___ PRESS. If you want to solve the puzzle yourself, stop here before reading the full answer grid.
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What are the NYT Connections #992 answers?
The complete NYT Connections #992 answers are shown below. The puzzle was dated Friday, February 27, 2026, and the answer set is corroborated by Parade’s February 27 answer guide and ComingSoon’s dated Connections guide.
| Color | Category | Words | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | BACKSTABBER | JUDAS, SNAKE, TRAITOR, TURNCOAT | Words associated with a betrayer |
| Green | AURA | AIR, IMPRESSION, MANNER, QUALITY | Words describing an atmosphere or surrounding impression |
| Blue | Kinds of chain-reaction “EFFECTS” | BUTTERFLY, DOMINO, RIPPLE, SNOWBALL | Words that form familiar phrases with “effect” |
| Purple | ___ PRESS | BENCH, DRILL, FRENCH, PRINTING | Words that form phrases by adding “press” |
Why are JUDAS, SNAKE, TRAITOR, and TURNCOAT the yellow answers?
JUDAS, SNAKE, TRAITOR, and TURNCOAT are words for, or associated with, a person who betrays someone else. JUDAS points to Judas Iscariot, while “snake,” “traitor,” and “turncoat” are common descriptions of a betrayer.
How do AIR, IMPRESSION, MANNER, and QUALITY connect to AURA?
AIR, IMPRESSION, MANNER, and QUALITY can each describe the atmosphere, character, or surrounding impression of a person or thing—an AURA. “Air” can mean a manner or appearance, while an impression, manner, or quality can contribute to the aura something gives off.
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What are the chain-reaction “effect” answers?
BUTTERFLY, DOMINO, RIPPLE, and SNOWBALL each form a familiar phrase when followed by “effect”: butterfly effect, domino effect, ripple effect, and snowball effect. The shared idea is a consequence that spreads or triggers further consequences.
This category is more about phrase completion than strict synonymy. That distinction matters because RIPPLE may initially look like a standalone description of movement rather than a word belonging with the other three entries.
What does ___ PRESS mean in Connections #992?
The purple answers are BENCH, DRILL, FRENCH, and PRINTING because each word forms a recognized phrase when followed by PRESS:
| Word | Completed phrase | Meaning or use |
|---|---|---|
| BENCH | Bench press | A strength-training exercise |
| DRILL | Drill press | A machine for drilling precise holes |
| FRENCH | French press | A coffee-brewing device |
| PRINTING | Printing press | A machine or process for producing printed material |
The purple group is the trickiest because the connection appears only after adding the same word to all four entries. “Freedom of the press” is a useful hint for the shared word, but FREEDOM is not one of the 16 puzzle words.
How difficult was Connections #992?
Connections #992 does not have a verified puzzle-specific completion-rate or difficulty statistic, so a numerical difficulty claim would be misleading. The official color convention identifies yellow as the easiest group and purple as the trickiest, making the intended progression in this puzzle BACKSTABBER, AURA, chain-reaction “EFFECTS,” and ___ PRESS.
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The puzzle’s surface ambiguity comes from mixing different kinds of relationships. BACKSTABBER uses associated meanings, AURA uses words describing a surrounding quality, the blue group uses phrase completion with “effect,” and the purple group uses phrase completion with “press.” Several words can look plausible in more than one grouping until the exact connection is tested.
What is the best way to solve a puzzle like #992?
- Look for the most direct semantic set. JUDAS, SNAKE, TRAITOR, and TURNCOAT share the clear betrayer idea, so they are a strong first group.
- Remove the solved words and reassess the remainder. With the betrayal words gone, AIR, IMPRESSION, MANNER, and QUALITY become descriptions of an aura.
- Test familiar phrase endings. BUTTERFLY, DOMINO, RIPPLE, and SNOWBALL all pair naturally with “effect.”
- Use the final shared word as a construction test. BENCH, DRILL, FRENCH, and PRINTING all precede “press.”
- Check every group as a complete set. The New York Times says Connections gives players 16 words and asks them to find four groups of four; each puzzle has exactly one solution, and misleading overlaps are part of the challenge. Read the official Connections rules and help documentation for the game’s mechanics.
How does the Connections game work?
Connections is a word game in which players find themes linking 16 words and divide the words into four groups of four. The official New York Times Help Center describes the groups as yellow, green, blue, and purple, ordered from easiest to trickiest, and notes that words may appear to fit more than one category even though each puzzle has one intended solution.
The daily Connections puzzle is released at midnight in the player’s timezone, according to the official Help Center. Connections itself is free to play; the New York Times Games subscription provides broader access to Games such as Connections, Connections: Sports Edition, Wordle, Strands, Sudoku, and additional Games features. Readers considering broader access can review the official New York Times Games subscription information.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Want more puzzles after Connections #992?
Readers who prefer solving away from a screen can look for the NYT Connections puzzle book, an official book-form extension of the category-matching puzzle. The publisher information supports the existence of the book series, but does not establish that the book contains puzzle #992.
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What date was NYT Connections #992?
NYT Connections #992 was published on Friday, February 27, 2026. The four categories are BACKSTABBER, AURA, kinds of chain-reaction “EFFECTS,” and ___ PRESS.
What are the purple answers in Connections #992?
The purple answers are BENCH, DRILL, FRENCH, and PRINTING. Each word forms a phrase when followed by PRESS: bench press, drill press, French press, and printing press.
What are the blue answers in Connections #992?
The blue answers are BUTTERFLY, DOMINO, RIPPLE, and SNOWBALL because each forms a phrase with EFFECT: butterfly effect, domino effect, ripple effect, and snowball effect.
The Bottom Line
NYT Connections #992, published Friday, February 27, 2026, groups its words into BACKSTABBER, AURA, chain-reaction “EFFECTS,” and ___ PRESS. The complete answers are JUDAS, SNAKE, TRAITOR, TURNCOAT; AIR, IMPRESSION, MANNER, QUALITY; BUTTERFLY, DOMINO, RIPPLE, SNOWBALL; and BENCH, DRILL, FRENCH, PRINTING.
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