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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteNYT Connections puzzle #973, for Sunday, February 8, 2026, groups 16 words into four sets of four. Start with the hints below if you want a nudge; the complete answers follow after a spoiler warning.
Hints for Connections #973
These clues are listed in the puzzle’s group order. They narrow the themes without revealing the full word sets.
- To push something down.
- The usual.
- Protection for electronic devices.
- Not one, but…
Alternate clue wording from TechRadar points to keeping someone quiet, a familiar story, a code used to gain entry, and a phrase that begins with “two.”
Full answers for February 8, 2026
Spoiler warning: The complete category labels and answers are below.
#1 Best Overall
| Category | Words |
|---|---|
| SUPPRESS | GAG, INHIBIT, MUZZLE, SILENCE |
| SAME OLD STUFF | DRILL, GRIND, HABIT, ROUTINE |
| FEATURES OF A STRONG PASSWORD | LENGTH, NUMBER, SYMBOL, UPPERCASE |
| WORDS AFTER “TWO” | BIT, CENTS, FACED, TIMER |
How the word connections work
SUPPRESS
GAG, INHIBIT, MUZZLE, and SILENCE can each mean to restrain, quiet, or prevent something from being expressed.
SAME OLD STUFF
DRILL, GRIND, HABIT, and ROUTINE all suggest a repeated or familiar pattern.
FEATURES OF A STRONG PASSWORD
LENGTH, NUMBER, SYMBOL, and UPPERCASE name characteristics commonly associated with password strength.
WORDS AFTER “TWO”
BIT, CENTS, FACED, and TIMER complete the expressions two-bit, two cents, two-faced, and two-timer.
Why the grid could mislead
GAG, BIT, ROUTINE, and NUMBER can evoke stand-up comedy: a gag, a comedy bit, a routine, and a number. TechRadar’s writer reported being drawn toward that apparent grouping, but these words belong to four separate answer groups in this puzzle.
The full word grid
In TechRadar’s listed order, the 16 words are:
TIMER, GAG, DRILL, BIT, ROUTINE, SYMBOL, CENTS, LENGTH, NUMBER, SILENCE, GRIND, MUZZLE, HABIT, FACED, INHIBIT, UPPERCASE.
How Connections works
Players select four words they believe share a connection and submit the group. Try Hard Guides says players can make up to four mistakes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Answer verification
Parade and TechRadar publish the same four categories and word sets, and Try Hard Guides independently confirms the mapping. These answer guides corroborate the solution; no primary New York Times archive page for this dated puzzle was available among the cited sources.
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Sources: Parade; TechRadar; Try Hard Guides.
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