This guide covers NYT Connections puzzle #976, dated Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. Start with a category nudge, reveal one anchor word per group if you need more help, or skip to the full answer key below.
Category hints
- Yellow: Ways to describe being in love or longing for someone.
- Green: Words associated with investment earnings.
- Blue: A dense or compact mass.
- Purple: Complete the phrase “roller ____.”
Need a stronger hint?
One anchor word from each group, in category order: MOON, GAIN, BLOCK, and BAG.
Full NYT Connections #976 answers
Spoilers below.
| Color | Category | Words |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Act lovestruck | MOON, PINE, SWOON, YEARN |
| Green | Earnings | GAIN, NET, RETURN, YIELD |
| Blue | Compact mass | BLOCK, BRICK, CAKE, PUCK |
| Purple | Roller ____ | BAG, COASTER, DERBY, RINK |
Why the words fit
Yellow: Act lovestruck
You can moon over, pine for, swoon over, or yearn for someone. Here, MOON is a verb.
Green: Earnings
GAIN, NET, RETURN, and YIELD can each describe investment income or returns.
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#1 Best Overall
Blue: Compact mass
A BLOCK, BRICK, CAKE, or hockey PUCK can be understood as a compact mass.
Purple: Roller ____
Each word completes a familiar phrase: roller bag, roller coaster, roller derby, and roller rink.
Rank #2
The hockey red herring
NET, PUCK, and RINK may suggest a hockey grouping, but NET belongs with the earnings words, PUCK with compact masses, and RINK with “roller ____.” Forbes contributor Kris Holt described that tempting set in his explanation: “The ice hockey red herring of NET, PUCK and RINK almost got me, but nothing else quite fit with them in my eyes.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When this puzzle appeared
This is the Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 puzzle, #976. Forbes published its guide on Feb. 10, 2026. Connections is available on the NYT website and Games app; a related Forbes guide says an NYT All Access or Games subscription grants archive access.
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