NYT Connections puzzle #998, dated Thursday, March 5, 2026, groups its 16 entries around hardware, idea-development spaces, back-and-forth actions, and meanings of “sub.” Hints appear first below; the full answer sets follow, so stop before the reveal if you are still solving.
Hints for Connections #998
These spoiler-light prompts point toward each group without listing its four words:
- Items you might use when building a cabinet.
- Places and tools you might use to work on an idea.
- Words you might associate with indecision.
- Words linked to “sub.”
Answers for Thursday, March 5
Spoilers below. The 16 board entries were ALTERNATE, HERO, TOGGLE, BOLT, REPLACEMENT, SANDBOX, BELOW, SEESAW, NUT, LAB, WASHER, SUBMARINE, INCUBATOR, SWITCH, SCREW, and TEST BED.
| Color and category | Words | Why they fit |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow — BITS OF HARDWARE | BOLT, NUT, SCREW, WASHER | These are hardware components used in fastening or assembling things. |
| Green — PLACES WHERE IDEAS ARE DEVELOPED | INCUBATOR, LAB, SANDBOX, TEST BED | Each can describe a setting for developing, trying, or testing an idea. |
| Blue — GO BACK AND FORTH | ALTERNATE, SEESAW, SWITCH, TOGGLE | Each can describe moving or changing between alternatives. |
| Purple — WHAT “SUB” MIGHT REFER TO | BELOW, HERO, REPLACEMENT, SUBMARINE | “Sub” can point to something below, a substitute or replacement, a submarine, or a subtitle’s hero text. |
How the “sub” group works
The final category relies on more than one meaning of the prefix. “Below” captures its sense of beneath; “replacement” connects to substitute; and “submarine” begins with the shortened form. “Hero” is the title or main text in a subtitle context. These different associations are what make the group less literal than the hardware set.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall#1 Best Overall
How Connections works
Connections presents 16 words, phrases, symbols, or numbers to sort into four groups of four by a shared link. Forbes’ guide says a fourth incorrect guess ends the game; it also notes that group colors often suggest difficulty but are not a fixed guarantee. The puzzle is available through NYT Games on desktop and mobile, while Forbes says its archive is available with an All Access or Games subscription.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Sources
- Parade’s hints and answers for this puzzle
- Forbes’ Connections guide for March 5, 2026
- TechRadar’s hints and answers for March 5, 2026
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
