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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsNeed help with NYT Connections game #1,017? Start with the spoiler-light clues below and reveal the group labels only if you need another nudge. The complete answer key appears after a clear spoiler warning.
The 16 words in Connections #1,017
The Tuesday, March 24, 2026 puzzle uses these words: LOW, WIND, FOOD, CAKE, ROW, FIRE, RING, BASE, BOW, SOW, MEAN, KISS, TOW, VOW, DUMP, and VILE.
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Hints, from least to most revealing
Yellow
Think of words that describe something despicable or undesirable.
Green
Think of features associated with a wedding.
Blue
Think of kinds of trucks.
Purple
Think of words that share a spelling but have different pronunciations and meanings.
#1 Best Overall
Category labels
Still working it out? The four categories are Despicable, Features of a wedding, Kinds of trucks, and Heteronyms.
Complete answers
Spoiler warning: the full solution to Connections #1,017 is below.
Rank #2
- Yellow — Despicable: BASE, LOW, MEAN, VILE
- Green — Features of a wedding: CAKE, KISS, RING, VOW
- Blue — Kinds of trucks: DUMP, FIRE, FOOD, TOW
- Purple — Heteronyms: BOW, ROW, SOW, WIND
For the purple group, each word has different pronunciations tied to different meanings: for example, “bow” can refer to a tied ribbon or the front of a ship, while “wind” can mean moving air or turning something around. The shared spelling—not a single shared pronunciation—is the link.
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How hard was this puzzle?
PC Guide reported that players can make four mistakes before the game ends and described the colors as progressing from easier to harder. TechRadar writer Marc McLaren rated this puzzle “Hard” and said he made one mistake; that is his personal assessment, not an official difficulty rating or a measure of how other players performed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Sources
The date, puzzle number, word list, and four groupings are corroborated by two secondary reports: TechRadar’s March 23, 2026 article and PC Guide’s March 24, 2026 update. The answer key is corroborated reporting; these sources are not an official New York Times answer record.
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