Today’s Connections puzzle is a tricky one. We don’t blame you if you need some help to solve it. As you scroll down this page, you’ll get some spoiler-free hints to set you in the right direction. If those hints don’t work, you can have one word from each category, followed by the list of categories. Finally, we’ll give you all the answers. So, here are the hints, clues, and answers to today’s NYT Connections (#1053, April 29, 2026).
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In This Article
What is Connections?
Connections is a daily puzzle game from the New York Times. You can play it on your mobile or PC by clicking this link. The aim of the puzzle is pretty straightforward – you are supposed to find 4 groups of 4 words with common themes. These groups are arranged in 4 levels of difficulty: Yellow (Easiest), Green, Blue, and Purple (Toughest). While this may seem simple, the puzzle often has some red herrings that can catch you off guard. Oftentimes, the Purple category can be a headscratcher with themes that may have something to do with the nomenclature rather than the meaning of the words. You never really know for sure what’s coming your way, and that’s what keeps Connections fresh!
First, let’s take a look at today’s grid
- ROUND
- SHADOW
- RUMBLE
- ORDERS
- OVATION
- SOCK
- HAND
- ROLL
- CLAP
- JOKE
- BOOM
- STAGE
- LEVEL
- STRING
- ROOM
- PHASE
Hints for NYT Connections (#1053) April 29, 2026
These hints do not contain any spoilers. They will nudge you in the right direction without giving away any answers.
- Yellow Group: Words used to refer to the parts in which progress takes place.
- Green Group: Roaring thunder.
- Blue Group: Describing the different forms of one inanimate object that’s used in stage performance.
- Purple Group: The word preceding these items means the opposite of sitting down.
One Word Per Category (Contains Spoilers)
Not able to spot any underlying themes or commonalities? We’ll help you get started. Here is one word for every group in today’s puzzle.
- Yellow Group: Level.
- Green Group: Boom.
- Blue Group: Hand.
- Purple Group: Joke.
List of Themes (Major Spoilers)
If the last round of hints didn’t help, maybe it’s time to look up the themes and retrospectively find the connections.
- Yellow Group: Step In A Process.
- Green Group: Sound Like Thunder.
- Blue Group: Kinds Of Puppets.
- Purple Group: Standing ___.
Answers to NYT Connections (#1053) April 29, 2026
On your last attempt, and don’t want to ruin the streak? Fine, we’ll give you the answers.
- Yellow Group: Level, Phase, Round, Stage (Step In A Process).
- Green Group: Boom, Clap, Roll, Rumble (Sound Like Thunder).
- Blue Group: Hand, Shadow, Sock, String (Kinds Of Puppets).
- Purple Group: Joke, Orders, Ovation, Room (Standing ___).
Answers to yesterday’s Connections puzzle
- Yellow Group: Appeal, Bid, Call, Request (Entreaty).
- Green Group: Dry, Fold, Sort, Wash (Laundry Day Verbs).
- Blue Group: Check, Coupon, Match, Stamp (Things That Come In ‘Books’).
- Purple Group: Dial, Flower, Screen, Tan (Sun ___).
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What we think
Today’s NYT Connections puzzle was rated 1.7 out of 5 for difficulty. Were you able to crack it without making any mistakes? Let us know in the comments!


