Connections Hint & Answers May 18th, 2026
Word List - May 18, 2026
Try a connection before you reveal it.
Create four groups of four.
Select four words that share a connection.
Need a full group? These buttons reveal its category and all four words.
0 of 4 groups complete · 0 attempts · Unlimited practice
Connections Hint - May 18, 2026
One color at a time. A small clue can make the next connection click.
yellow group · EasiestReveal yellow hintHide hint
Start with the most direct everyday meanings. This set usually has the cleanest shared idea.
green group · MediumReveal green hintHide hint
Look for a shared family, type, or common phrase that is one step beyond the obvious meanings.
blue group · HardReveal blue hintHide hint
Think more broadly: titles, culture, proper nouns, and specialized labels can all be fair game.
purple group · HardestReveal purple hintHide hint
Expect wordplay. Sounds, hidden pieces, letter changes, or phrase endings may matter more than definitions.
Group Titles - May 18, 2026
Need a stronger nudge? Open a category without revealing its words.
yellow groupReveal yellow categoryHide category
HOMOPHONES
green groupReveal green categoryHide category
RUPTURE
blue groupReveal blue categoryHide category
MLB PLAYER
purple groupReveal purple categoryHide category
FRUIT ANAGRAMS
Connections Answers - May 18, 2026
Open one word, or reveal the full solution for puzzle #1072.
yellow group words
Reveal yellow word 1
PÈRE
Reveal yellow word 2
PEAR
Reveal yellow word 3
PAIR
Reveal yellow word 4
PARE
green group words
Reveal green word 1
POP
Reveal green word 2
SPLIT
Reveal green word 3
BLOW
Reveal green word 4
CRACK
blue group words
Reveal blue word 1
PADRE
Reveal blue word 2
ROYAL
Reveal blue word 3
RED
Reveal blue word 4
TWIN
purple group words
Reveal purple word 1
WIKI
Reveal purple word 2
LUMP
Reveal purple word 3
CHEAP
Reveal purple word 4
EARP
Reveal all answers for Connections #1072
HOMOPHONES
PÈRE, PEAR, PAIR, PARE
RUPTURE
POP, SPLIT, BLOW, CRACK
MLB PLAYER
PADRE, ROYAL, RED, TWIN
FRUIT ANAGRAMS
WIKI, LUMP, CHEAP, EARP
Connections clues for May 18, 2026
Looking for NYT Connections hints and answers? Explore puzzle #1072 for May 18, 2026: all 16 words, a clue for each color, the category titles and the complete solution. Start with one clue and reveal more when you need it.
For a full answer reference, visit the permanent answer page for May 18, 2026.
Updated
Word List - May 18, 2026
These are the 16 words for Connections #1072, listed alphabetically so this list does not reveal the groups:
BLOW, CHEAP, CRACK, EARP, LUMP, PADRE, PAIR, PARE, PEAR, POP, PÈRE, RED, ROYAL, SPLIT, TWIN, WIKI.
Note words with more than one meaning, then return to the board or open a color clue above. You can rearrange possible groups in Plan before checking them in Solve.
Connections hints for #1072
The four colors offer a useful order for exploring the puzzle. Start with a broad clue, then reveal a category or a single word if you need a stronger suggestion.
| Group | Difficulty | Clue approach |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Easiest | Begin with a clear shared category or everyday meaning. |
| Green | Medium | Check for a narrower theme that distinguishes four words. |
| Blue | Hard | Consider specialist terms, names or another sense of a word. |
| Purple | Hardest | Try phrases, sounds, prefixes and other forms of wordplay. |
How to use Connections hints without spoilers
- Choose the color you want help with and open just its hint.
- Try the suggested connection against the unsolved words. Consider a second meaning when one word does not fit.
- Reveal a category or one answer word if the first clue is too broad.
- Open the full solution only when you want to check all four groups. Revealing a group on the practice board marks it as assisted.
What is NYT Connections?
Connections is a daily word puzzle from The New York Times. The goal is to arrange 16 words into four sets of four, with each set sharing a specific connection. A connection might involve an everyday category, a name, a familiar phrase or wordplay.
The NYT game allows four mistakes. This independent practice board offers unlimited attempts so you can explore combinations without changing your official game. Check the date before using a hint, or choose another puzzle from the calendar.
More Connections puzzles
Connections tips
Start with a connection you can explain
Look for four words that fit the same precise idea. A loose association may work for three words while the fourth belongs somewhere else.
Try another meaning
A word can be a name, an action, a sound or part of a familiar phrase. Read it in a different context before ruling it out.
Use the colors to pace your clues
Yellow is usually the most direct connection, followed by green, blue and purple. Start with one color and reveal only as much as you need.
Plan before you submit
Rearrange the board to compare possible groups. If five words seem to fit one idea, check which word can also complete a different group.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Connections hint for #1072?
Connections #1072 for May 18, 2026 has four color groups. Open a hint above for a starting point, or use the 16-word practice board to test an idea. Some clues are broad, so try another meaning if the connection is still unclear.
Do these hints spoil the answer?
Start with the clue for a single color. These broad nudges point toward the kind of connection to look for. Reveal the category or one word only if you need more help; the other groups can stay hidden.
What are the Connections group colors?
The groups are yellow, green, blue and purple, from the most direct connection to the trickiest. Purple often involves a second meaning or wordplay. Each group contains four words.
What are the Connections answers for #1072?
The answers section contains all four category titles and their words for Connections #1072 for May 18, 2026. Open individual words or the full solution when you want to check your result. Use the calendar for another puzzle.
When are new Connections hints available?
Connections has a new puzzle each day. Check the date shown on this page against your game. Hints and answers appear when that date’s complete puzzle is available; use Yesterday or the calendar if you need another date.
What is the difference between Solve and Plan?
In Solve, select four words and check whether they share a connection. In Plan, rearrange the remaining words to explore possible groups without submitting a guess. Switch back to Solve when you are ready to check your idea.
Does this practice board affect my NYT Connections game?
No. This is an independent practice board with unlimited attempts. It does not change your game or score on NYT. Practice progress lasts while this page is open and resets when you reload the page or open another puzzle.
Can I reveal individual words instead of a whole group?
Yes. You can reveal the category and individual words separately, or choose to reveal a whole group when you want its full connection. A revealed group is marked as assisted on the practice board.
Why are clues unavailable for the selected date?
The puzzle for that date may not be available yet. The page will show that date’s clues when the puzzle is ready. Choose a marked date in the calendar to explore an available puzzle; a different date’s answer is never substituted.
More daily puzzle help
Connections is published by The New York Times. Pinpoint Answer Hub is an independent helper and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.