Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe NYT Connections puzzle for Monday, February 9, 2026, is game #974. Its groups are weaving tools and materials, synonyms for “method,” ways an author can be paid, and phrases that follow “draw.” Hints come first; the complete answer key is below the spoiler break.
Hints for the February 9 Connections groups
- Yellow: Items you might use to make fabric.
- Green: Different ways of doing something.
- Blue: Money an author may receive for their work.
- Purple: Each answer can follow the same two-word prompt: “draw ___.”
NYT Connections asks players to sort 16 words into four groups of four. The categories are color-coded: yellow is the easiest and purple the trickiest. Some words may appear to fit more than one theme, which is part of the puzzle’s challenge. The NYT Help Center explains the rules.
Spoiler: full answers for February 9
Stop here if you want to solve the board yourself. The full word list and groupings, reported by Forbes and Word Cheats, are:
- USED IN WEAVING: LOOM, NEEDLE, SCISSORS, YARN
- METHOD: APPROACH, MANNER, STYLE, WAY
- KINDS OF PAYMENT FOR AN AUTHOR: ADVANCE, BONUS, FEE, ROYALTY
- DRAW ___: NEAR, POKER, STRAWS, THE LINE
How the phrase group works
Put “draw” before each word to complete a familiar phrase: draw near, draw poker, draw straws, and draw the line. The other groups sort by shared meaning: weaving equipment or materials, words meaning “method,” and forms of author compensation.
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Where to play or find the archive
The NYT Help Center says the daily puzzle releases at midnight in the player’s local timezone and is available through NYT Games on the web and in the app, including the News app. Its Connections archive reaches back to June 12, 2023, and is available to All Access and Games subscribers; access details can change. See the official Connections help page for current information.
Quick Recap
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