Need help with NYT Connections #977? The puzzle was published Thursday, February 12, 2026. Start with the spoiler-light clues below, then open the answer groups when you’re ready to see the full solution.
Hints for Connections #977
Try these clues in order, from broadest to most specific:
- One group is about creating or building something.
- One describes things held securely in position.
- One uses shortened names for Major League Baseball teams.
- For the last group, add the same royal word after each answer.
Spoiler warning: the answers
The complete groups for Thursday’s puzzle are:
- Yellow — CONSTRUCT: FORM, MAKE, MOLD, PRODUCE
- Green — FIXED IN PLACE: FAST, FIRM, FROZEN, TIGHT
- Blue — MLB PLAYER, FOR SHORT: A, CARD, JAY, YANK
- Purple — ___ QUEEN: DAIRY, DANCING, DRAG, MAY
Why the groups fit
Yellow: CONSTRUCT
FORM, MAKE, MOLD, and PRODUCE can all mean to create or bring something into existence.
Green: FIXED IN PLACE
FAST, FIRM, FROZEN, and TIGHT can each describe something held securely or not moving freely.
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Blue: MLB PLAYER, FOR SHORT
These are shortened MLB team names: A is the Athletics, CARD is the St. Louis Cardinals, JAY is the Toronto Blue Jays, and YANK is the New York Yankees.
Purple: ___ QUEEN
Each word pairs with “Queen” to make a familiar phrase: Dairy Queen, Dancing Queen, drag queen, and May queen. A May queen is a figure associated with May Day celebrations.
Rank #2
Words that could mislead you
FROZEN, PRODUCE, and DAIRY might suggest grocery-store sections, but they do not make a complete group of four. DRAG and YANK can both suggest pulling, yet they belong to different categories here. Before locking in a set, check that all four words fit one connection—not just that a few seem related.
Quick Recap
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