NYT Connections Hints, Answers & Groups for Jan 20 (#954)

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for Jan. 20 (#954)

Need help with today’s NYT Connections puzzle? Puzzle No. 954, released on January 20, 2026, brings a familiar challenge: approachable early groups and a tricky purple group that hides its logic in plain sight. Below are spoiler-light hints, followed by all confirmed answers with clear explanations.

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Hints for Today’s Connections Groups

The four groups are ranked from easiest (yellow) to hardest (purple):

• Yellow group hint: Mixed together
• Green group hint: Buzzzzz!
• Blue group hint: You might walk or drive across
• Purple group hint: Four words that start with hidden, similar words

If you’re stuck, try locking in verbs first, then move on to nouns and proper names.

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Answers for Today’s Connections Groups

🟨 Yellow Group — Intertwine

• LACE
• TWIST
• WEAVE
• WIND

All four words describe things being wrapped or mixed together.

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🟩 Green Group — Kinds of bees

• BUMBLE
• CARPENTER
• HONEY
• KILLER

Each word pairs naturally with “bee” to form a recognized type.

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🟦 Blue Group — Famous bridges

• BROOKLYN
• GOLDEN GATE
• RIALTO
• TOWER

These are world-famous bridges found in major cities.

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🟪 Purple Group — Starting with synonyms for “hanker for”

• CRAVEN (crave)
• DESIREE (desire)
• NEEDLE (need)
• WANTON (want)

This group is the hardest because the connection is hidden at the beginning of each word, not the full meaning.

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Why Today’s Puzzle Was Tricky

• The purple group uses embedded wordplay, not definitions
• Green looks simple but overlaps with other animal terms
• Blue requires general knowledge, not word similarity
• Several words feel interchangeable across groups at first glance

Solving yellow and green early helps avoid costly misfires.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is today’s NYT Connections puzzle number?

Today’s puzzle is No. 954.

What was the hardest group today?

The purple group, with hidden synonyms for “hanker for,” was the most difficult.

What is the blue group theme today?

The blue group theme is famous bridges.

How many groups are in NYT Connections?

Each puzzle has four groups of four words, totaling 16 answers.