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Hints for Connections #866
Use these clues before looking at the solved groups. They describe the category logic, not official NYT wording.
- A period when someone or something is at its best.
- Actions that change or emphasize text.
- Things strongly associated with vivid color.
- Look at the words’ endings for concealed accessories.
How to approach the board
Start by spotting the four terms that can describe a high point or a person’s best period. Another clear set consists of actions you can apply to text. The vivid-color group is based on familiar associations rather than a shared object type. Save the trickiest set for last: each remaining word contains or ends with the name of an accessory.
One plausible solve order is text actions, peak-period terms, colorful things, then the concealed accessories. It is only one route; the categories can be found in a different order.
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Spoiler warning: full answers below
Stop here if you still want to solve the puzzle yourself.
Connections #866 answers
| Color | Category | Words | Why they fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Best years | HEYDAY, PINNACLE, PRIME, ZENITH | Each can refer to a high point or a period at one’s best. |
| Green | Things you can do to text | BOLD, HIGHLIGHT, STRIKETHROUGH, UNDERLINE | Each is a text-formatting action. |
| Blue | Things known for being colorful | KALEIDOSCOPE, PEACOCK, RAINBOW, SUNSET | Each is commonly associated with vivid color. |
| Purple | Ending in accessories | BAYWATCH, COOTIE, HERRING, KINGPIN | The hidden accessories are WATCH, TIE, EARRING, and PIN, respectively. |
Why the purple group is tricky
The category label points to accessory words concealed in the four longer words. BAYWATCH contains WATCH, COOTIE ends in TIE, HERRING contains EARRING, and KINGPIN ends in PIN. The connection is in those word parts, not in the meanings of the full words.
Rank #2
All 16 board words
BAYWATCH, HIGHLIGHT, RAINBOW, HERRING, PRIME, SUNSET, BOLD, PEACOCK, COOTIE, HEYDAY, KALEIDOSCOPE, UNDERLINE, ZENITH, KINGPIN, STRIKETHROUGH, PINNACLE.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Sources and puzzle date
The date-specific solution and board are reported by All Things How and corroborated by TechRadar. Parade’s October 24 guide also covers this date. These are secondary answer guides; this article does not present the category wording as an official NYT explanation.
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Rank #3
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