Connections #981 Answers
Monday, February 16, 2026
Here are the answers to NYT Connections #981 for Monday, February 16, 2026. The 16 words split into four groups by colour — yellow is easiest, purple the trickiest. The group themes are listed first as hints, then every group is revealed below. Looking for the latest puzzle? See today's Connections.
Hints — the four group themes
- Yellow (easiest): knee-slapper
- Green: homophones
- Blue: sounds a chicken makes
- Purple (hardest): stress responses
Answers
KNEE-SLAPPER
HOOT, LAUGH, RIOT, SCREAM
HOMOPHONES
DO, DOE, DOH, DOUGH
SOUNDS A CHICKEN MAKES
BUCK, CACKLE, CLUCK, SQUAWK
STRESS RESPONSES
FAWN, FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE
Previous Connections answers
- #980 — reference books, something that brings back memories, kinds of complexes, starting with ways to reach someone via phone
- #979 — uptick, protuberance, tom hanks roles, words before "mint"
- #978 — downright, pennant, cigarette brands, homophones of ways to get smaller
- #977 — construct, fixed in place, mlb player, for short, ___ queen
- #976 — act lovestruck, earnings, compact mass, roller ___
- #975 — exhibition, words spelling out initialisms, dvd bonus features, starting with parts of a wheel
Browse every past puzzle in the Connections answer archive.