Sometimes the Connections puzzle can send you into a spin. If today is one of those days, you’ve landed on the right page. First, we’ll get you started with some general hints to point you in the right direction. If that doesn’t work, you can have one word for each category. This will be followed by the revelation of today’s themes and, finally, the answers. So, without further ado, here are the hints, clues, and answers to today’s NYT Connections (#1044, April 20, 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
- CYBER
- HOURGLASS
- BLUE
- CLOUD
- ROD
- WEB
- MANIC
- NET
- PUFF
- VENOM
- HOOK
- BILLOW
- BAIT
- PLUME
- MEATLESS
- CANNIBALISM
Hints for NYT Connections (#1044) April 20, 2026
These hints do not contain any spoilers. They will nudge you in the right direction without giving away any answers.
- Yellow Group: A magician may use this for drama or misdirection.
- Green Group: Related to an activity you might do on a lake.
- Blue Group: Spiders!
- Purple Group: The common word preceding these words is a day of the week.
- Extra hint: Net, Cyber, and Web do not go together.
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: Billow.
- Green Group: Bait.
- Blue Group: Cannibalism.
- Purple Group: Blue.
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: Mass of smoke.
- Green Group: Fishing gear.
- Blue Group: Associated with black widow spiders.
- Purple Group: ___ Monday.
Answers to NYT Connections (#1044) April 20, 2026
On your last attempt, and don’t want to ruin the streak? Fine, we’ll give you the answers.
- Yellow Group: Billow, Cloud, Plume, Puff (Mass of smoke).
- Green Group: Bait, Hook, Net, Rod (Fishing gear).
- Blue Group: Cannibalism, Hourglass, Venom, Web (Associated with black widow spiders).
- Purple Group: Blue, Cyber, Manic, Meatless (___ Monday).
Answers to yesterday’s Connections puzzle
- Yellow Group: Arch, Fresh, Sassy, Wise (Cheeky).
- Green Group: Bust, Hips, Length, Waist (Dress measurements).
- Blue Group: Flop, Hole, River, Turn (Cards in Texas Hold ‘Em).
- Purple Group: Cap, Dud, Kid, Mint (Last words of candy brands in the singular).
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What we think
Today’s NYT Connections puzzle was rated 1.3 out of 5 for difficulty. Were you able to crack it without making any mistakes? Let us know in the comments!



