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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Connections puzzle #965 is the edition dated Saturday, January 31, 2026—not today’s current puzzle. Start with the spoiler-free hints below, then open the clearly marked answer key when you’re ready.
Hints for Connections #965
Each hint points to one group of four. The clues progress from broad to more specific.
- Think about events people might attend or host.
- Look for tools or methods used to put paint on a surface.
- Consider objects with a forked, Y-shaped form.
- These words connect to different meanings of “shift”: a keyboard function, clothing, a change, and a work period.
Spoilers: Connections #965 answer key
The four groups and their members are:
- Kinds of Parties: BALL, MIXER, RECEPTION, SHOWER
- Ways to Apply Paint: BRUSH, PALETTE KNIFE, ROLLER, SPRAY CAN
- Y-Shaped Things: SLINGSHOT, STETHOSCOPE, TUNING FORK, WISHBONE
- What “Shift” Might Refer To: COMPUTER KEY, DRESS, FLUCTUATION, WORK PERIOD
How the groups fit together
Kinds of Parties
BALL, MIXER, RECEPTION, and SHOWER are all types of social gatherings.
Ways to Apply Paint
BRUSH and ROLLER are familiar painting tools; SPRAY CAN applies paint by spraying, while a PALETTE KNIFE can spread or apply it.
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Y-Shaped Things
A SLINGSHOT, STETHOSCOPE, TUNING FORK, and WISHBONE each have a form that branches into a fork.
What “Shift” Might Refer To
This group is based on meanings of the word rather than objects from one category: a COMPUTER KEY can be Shift, a DRESS can be called a shift, a FLUCTUATION is a change, and a WORK PERIOD can be a shift.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the last group is easy to miss
The final set combines four distinct senses of “shift,” so its members do not look alike at first. Words on a Connections board can suggest tempting alternate links; check that every word fits the proposed category, not just one possible association.
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