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Need a nudge before the full solution? The Feb. 16, 2026 NYT Connections puzzle (#981) groups its tiles around laughter, homophones, chicken sounds and stress responses. Start with the hints below, then open the answer key when you’re ready.
Hints for Connections #981
Try these category nudges before viewing the words in each group:
- Yellow: These can all describe something funny or prompt a reaction to it.
- Green: Say these four words aloud; they sound alike.
- Blue: Think of noises associated with a chicken.
- Purple: These are four common reactions to danger or stress.
Answers for Feb. 16, 2026
The sixteen tiles are BUCK, SCREAM, DO, LAUGH, FAWN, DOE, FLIGHT, SQUAWK, HOOT, FIGHT, RIOT, DOUGH, FREEZE, CACKLE, DOH and CLUCK.
| Group | Category | Tiles |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Knee Slapper | HOOT, LAUGH, RIOT, SCREAM |
| Green | Homophones | DO, DOE, DOH, DOUGH |
| Blue | Sounds a Chicken Makes | BUCK, CACKLE, CLUCK, SQUAWK |
| Purple | Stress Responses | FAWN, FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE |
Why the groupings work
Knee Slapper
HOOT, LAUGH, RIOT and SCREAM fit the puzzle’s laughter-related category, “Knee Slapper.”
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Blank Slate Board Game, A Party Game of Addicting Predictions
- The game where _______ minds think alike!
- Prepare yourself for Blank Slate, a game of addicting predictions! How well can you put your finger on what everyone's thinking?
- Pick a Word Cue card, write the word you think best completes the phrase, and try to match it to anther player's word without giving a single hint
- Easy to learn, quick to play, and fun for the whole family; just grab a slate, write a word, and get ready to make a match. Great for large groups or small gatherings!
- Includes: Scoreboard, 8 dry-erase slates, 250 doubled-sided word cue cards, rules
Homophones
DO, DOE, DOH and DOUGH are pronounced alike, despite their different spellings and meanings.
Sounds a Chicken Makes
CACKLE, CLUCK and SQUAWK read as chicken noises; the answer key also places BUCK in this group.
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Subtext Showdown: Word Association Board Games for Adults, Teens & Family (3-6 Players) — Fun Games for Adults and Teens Groups — Funny Card Games for Family Game Night or Birthday Party
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- MULTIPLAYER FUN: Engage in multiplayer entertainment with Subtext Showdown, perfect for game nights with 3 to 6 participants, promoting communication and creative thinking in the realm of adult games for game night.
- POINTS OF PRECISION: Accumulate points by adeptly deducing associations or demonstrating telepathic synchronicity, ensuring a gratifying experience for effective communication and intuitive connections in adult board games.
- RACE AGAINST TIME: With a ticking clock, players must think quickly and make their associations before time runs out, adding an exciting element of urgency to the game.
- EXCITING PERFECT GIFT: Combine phrases from the 16 cards to form associations that friends can decode, providing an exhilarating challenge in teen-friendly card games, perfect gift for any occasion.
Stress Responses
FAWN, FIGHT, FLIGHT and FREEZE are the four words in the stress-response group.
Quick Recap
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- Two teams race to identify their agents from a 5×5 grid, guided by a spymaster who knows each card’s identity
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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.
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