NYT Connections Puzzle Stumps And Delights On February 2

On Monday, February 2, 2026, puzzle enthusiasts woke up to a fresh challenge on the New York Times Games platform: Connections #967. As with every day, the puzzle presented sixteen words, but as seasoned players know, the trick lies not in the words themselves but in the subtle patterns that connect them. What followed was a day of lively debate, careful deduction, and, for some, a few moments of head-scratching frustration.

The Connections puzzle, a relative newcomer to the NYT’s stable of daily games, has quickly become a favorite among word game aficionados. The premise is simple: group the sixteen words into four categories of four, each bound by a unique theme. But as regulars will attest, the execution is anything but straightforward. According to Lifehacker, the color-coded categories range in difficulty from yellow (the most approachable) to purple (the most fiendish), ensuring a rollercoaster of confidence and confusion as players work through the grid.

On this particular Monday, the puzzle’s categories were as follows: Yellow for Duration, Green for Credentials for Entry, Blue for Modern Crime Series Protagonists, and Purple for Trees Plus a Letter. Each group demanded a different type of thinking—sometimes literal, sometimes lateral, and occasionally, a bit of pop culture knowledge thrown in for good measure.

The Yellow category, labeled Duration, was perhaps the most straightforward for many players. The words INTERVAL, PERIOD, SPAN, and STRETCH all evoke a sense of time passing, whether it’s a brief INTERVAL between events or a long STRETCH of inactivity. As Parade put it, this group was about “how you might roughly describe a day, a week, or a year.” For puzzle solvers, finding these four words was a welcome warm-up, a gentle entry before the brain teasers truly began.

The Green category, Credentials for Entry, required a shift from abstract concepts to the concrete tokens that grant us access to events and spaces. Here, LANYARD, PASS, STAMP, and WRISTBAND were grouped together. These items are familiar to anyone who’s attended a concert, convention, or festival—physical proof that you belong on the other side of the velvet rope. As ComingSoon.net explained, this group was about “participating in gigs to get access to the entrance.” It’s a theme that resonates in our increasingly ticketed world, where even a simple wristband can feel like a golden ticket.

The Blue category, Modern Crime Series Protagonists, was where the puzzle’s cultural savvy came into play. BOSCH, CROSS, REACHER, and RYAN are all surnames of leading characters in popular crime fiction and television. Harry Bosch, Alex Cross, Jack Reacher, and Jack Ryan have become household names thanks to their respective book series and screen adaptations. CNET noted that this group was for “fans of Agatha Christie,” though, in a twist, MARPLE (the surname of Christie’s famed detective Miss Marple) was not included here. Instead, these four protagonists hail from more contemporary stories, and recognizing them was a badge of honor for anyone who’s kept up with modern thrillers.

The Purple category, Trees Plus a Letter, was the day’s trickiest, according to nearly every review. At first glance, FAIR, MARPLE, POPULAR, and PSALM seem to have little in common. But with a bit of wordplay, the connection emerges: each word is one letter away from a type of tree. FAIR becomes FIR, MARPLE becomes MAPLE, POPULAR becomes POPLAR, and PSALM becomes PALM. This clever twist stumped many, but for those who cracked it, the satisfaction was immense. As Lifehacker pointed out, “They resemble types of plants, but there’s something extra.” It’s these kinds of linguistic acrobatics that keep players coming back for more.

The puzzle’s appeal lies not just in its daily challenge but in the community it fosters. Online forums and comment sections buzzed with post-solve analysis. Some players, as Lifehacker described, found themselves “one away” from finishing, only to realize a subtle misplacement—a reminder that Connections rewards both intuition and precision. Others shared strategies, like grouping the most obvious words first and saving the trickiest for last, or looking for words that didn’t seem to fit any category as a starting point for the most elusive group.

For those who struggled, hints were plentiful across the web. Parade offered gentle nudges, suggesting that “time” and “need to get in” were themes, while CNET provided more direct clues, ranking the groups from easiest to hardest. Yet, even with assistance, the joy of Connections lies in the “aha” moment—the flash of insight when a pattern clicks into place.

Beyond the puzzle itself, Connections has become a touchstone in the evolving world of digital word games. Its rise parallels that of Wordle and the Mini Crossword, forming a trifecta of daily brain teasers that have captivated millions. The New York Times has even introduced a Connections Bot, allowing players to track their stats, analyze their gameplay, and compare win streaks—a testament to the game’s growing popularity and the competitive spirit it inspires.

But what sets Connections apart is its blend of logic, language, and pop culture. As Lifehacker observed, “the groupings are designed to be tricky,” often featuring overlapping themes that require players to think outside the box. One day’s puzzle might include six breakfast foods, but only four belong together, while the others are linked by a completely different theme. It’s this unpredictability that keeps the game fresh and engaging.

Of course, not every player finishes with a perfect score. The puzzle allows for a handful of mistakes before revealing the answers, adding a layer of suspense to each guess. But as many have learned, even a failed attempt can be instructive, offering new ways to see connections in language and meaning.

As the sun set on February 2, 2026, another Connections puzzle was in the books. Some players celebrated a flawless victory, while others nursed their near-misses. But all, in their own way, participated in a daily ritual of curiosity, creativity, and community—a reminder that, sometimes, the most rewarding connections are the ones we make with each other over a shared challenge.