Need a nudge for NYT Connections game #955? The Wednesday, January 21, 2026 puzzle groups 16 words into four sets of four. Start with the hints below; the full answers are farther down, behind a spoiler warning.
How Connections works
Sort the 16 words into four groups of four based on a shared connection. Category names stay hidden until you solve a group, and red herrings can make words seem to fit more than one set. The cited guides describe up to four mistakes before the game ends.
Hints for Connections #955
Try these clues from least to most direct. Stop here if you want to solve the grid without seeing the categories or answers.
- Things that can be discarded and used again.
- Items that cover a bed.
- Ways to take someone else’s work and claim it as your own.
- Think of Bruce Wayne and the objects associated with his alter ego.
Spoiler warning: full answers for January 21
The solution is below. Each category contains four words from the grid.
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| Color | Category | Answers | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | ITEMS TO RECYCLE | BOTTLE, CAN, CARDBOARD BOX, NEWSPAPER | Common recyclable materials or containers. |
| Green | BEDDING | BLANKET, SHAM, SHEET, THROW | Items used on or to cover a bed. |
| Blue | PLAGIARIZE | COPY, CRIB, LIFT, PIRATE | Verbs for copying or appropriating someone else’s work. |
| Purple | BATMAN’S “BAT” THINGS | CAVE, MOBILE, SIGNAL, SUIT | Complete Batcave, Batmobile, Bat-Signal, and Batsuit. |
What makes the groups tricky
Start with the literal sets
Recycling and bedding are the most concrete connections: the words name familiar items. If a word appears to fit both, check whether the remaining words make a complete, more specific set.
Read the verbs and compounds carefully
The plagiarism group is less obvious because COPY, CRIB, LIFT, and PIRATE are verbs with that meaning. The final set relies on recognizing four Batman compounds with “Bat” removed; MOBILE and SIGNAL are not Batman-specific on their own.
Rank #2
Where to play
The cited guides describe Connections as playable through the New York Times Games website or app; Forbes also says subscribers can access the archive. Access, regional availability, and subscription terms can change, so check the current NYT Games listing for details.
Quick Recap
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