The latest edition of NYT Connections, puzzle #978, challenges players with a clever mix of synonyms, brand names and tricky homophones. The February 13, 2026 grid rewards sharp observation and lateral thinking, especially in its most difficult category.

How Connections Works

For those new to the game, Connections presents 16 words that must be grouped into four categories of four related terms. Players are allowed only four mistakes. The categories are color-coded by difficulty — yellow (easiest), green, blue and purple (hardest).

Since its launch in June 2023, Connections has become a daily staple alongside other New York Times word games like Wordle and the classic crossword.

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Today’s Words

WAYNE | PARLIAMENT | STANDARD | LESSON
KENT | SYNC | SHEER | COLORS
STARK | CAMEL | BANNER | UTTER
RESEED | PURE | FLAG | SALEM

At first glance, the list appears random. But each word fits neatly into one of four themed groups.

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Hints (Spoiler-Free)

• Yellow: Words that intensify or emphasize completeness.
• Green: Items that fly to represent a group or nation.
• Blue: Well-known cigarette brands.
• Purple: Homophones of verbs meaning “to reduce” or “become smaller.”

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Full Solutions

🟡 Yellow – Intensifiers

PURE, SHEER, STARK, UTTER

Each word emphasizes totality or absoluteness, as in “pure luck” or “utter nonsense.”

🟢 Green – Types of Flags

BANNER, COLORS, FLAG, STANDARD

All four refer to flags or symbolic emblems. “Standard,” though less obvious, is a heraldic term for a flag.

🔵 Blue – Cigarette Brands

CAMEL, KENT, PARLIAMENT, SALEM

These are established cigarette brands. “Parliament” and “Salem” serve as red herrings, potentially steering players toward political or historical interpretations.

🟣 Purple – Homophones of “Become Smaller”

LESSON (lessen)
RESEED (recede)
SYNC (shrink)
WAYNE (wane)

The final category hinges on sound rather than spelling. Each word sounds like a verb associated with reduction, making this the puzzle’s trickiest grouping.

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Puzzle Takeaway

Puzzle #978 lands at a moderate difficulty level, with the purple category likely causing the most trouble. While the synonym and flag groups may fall into place quickly, the homophone twist requires careful listening and wordplay awareness.

If you were thrown off by “Standard” or misled by “Parliament,” you weren’t alone. That’s the signature charm of Connections — misleading overlaps that test both logic and creativity.

The next puzzle arrives at midnight in your local timezone. Until then, sharpen your pattern-spotting skills and get ready for #979.