NYT Connections Hints and Answers — Thursday, April 16, 2026 (Puzzle #1040)
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🧩 NYT Connections Answers Today — April 16, 2026 (Puzzle #1040)
Here are the complete answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle, Thursday, April 16, 2026:
- 🟨 Yellow – TEASE: NEEDLE, RIB, RIDE, ROAST
- 🟩 Green – THERMOSTAT SETTINGS: AUTO, COOL, FAN, HEAT
- 🟦 Blue – FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME: BODYSUIT, CLAWS, MASK, WHIP
- 🟪 Purple – TRAINING ___: BRA, CAMP, DAY, WHEELS
Want to try solving it yourself first? Scroll down for progressive spoiler-free hints before seeing the full breakdown.
Welcome to today's NYT Connections hints and answers guide for Thursday, April 16, 2026. If you're stuck on Puzzle #1040, you're in the right place. We'll start with spoiler-free progressive hints so you can try to figure it out on your own, then reveal the full Connections answers for today with a detailed explanation of each group.
📌 Key Takeaways — Puzzle #1040
- Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
- Puzzle Number: #1040
- Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium)
- Trickiest Category: Purple — TRAINING ___
- Easiest Category: Yellow — TEASE
📖 In This Guide
- Tap-to-Reveal Word Hints (Interactive Grid)
- Spoiler-Free Category Hints
- Progressive Category Reveal
- Traps & Misdirects
- One-Word Hints for Each Group
- Two-Away Hints (Almost There)
- Full Answers & Solution Revealed
- Per-Word Explanations & Definitions
- Difficulty Analysis & Strategy Tips
- How to Play NYT Connections
- FAQ
🔮 Connections Hint for Each Word Today — April 16, 2026
Tap any word to see its Connections hint — what it means in today's puzzle, no spoilers. Uncover all 16 to fill the progress bar.
BODYSUIT Connections Hint Today
BODYSUIT belongs to the Blue group ("FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME".
Definition: BODYSUIT is one of the four words in the "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME" category. While BODYSUIT has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME".
BRA Connections Hint Today
BRA belongs to the Purple group ("TRAINING ___"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "TRAINING ___".
Definition: BRA is one of the four words in the "TRAINING ___" category. While BRA has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TRAINING ___".
CAMP Connections Hint Today
CAMP belongs to the Purple group ("TRAINING ___"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "TRAINING ___".
Definition: CAMP is one of the four words in the "TRAINING ___" category. While CAMP has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TRAINING ___".
HEAT Connections Hint Today
HEAT belongs to the Green group ("THERMOSTAT SETTINGS"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS".
Definition: HEAT is one of the four words in the "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS" category. While HEAT has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS".
FAN Connections Hint Today
FAN belongs to the Green group ("THERMOSTAT SETTINGS"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS".
Definition: FAN is one of the four words in the "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS" category. While FAN has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS".
AUTO Connections Hint Today
AUTO belongs to the Green group ("THERMOSTAT SETTINGS"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS".
Definition: AUTO is one of the four words in the "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS" category. While AUTO has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS".
MASK Connections Hint Today
MASK belongs to the Blue group ("FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME".
Definition: MASK is one of the four words in the "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME" category. While MASK has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME".
RIB Connections Hint Today
RIB belongs to the Yellow group ("TEASE"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "TEASE".
Definition: RIB is one of the four words in the "TEASE" category. While RIB has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TEASE".
NEEDLE Connections Hint Today
NEEDLE belongs to the Yellow group ("TEASE"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "TEASE".
Definition: NEEDLE is one of the four words in the "TEASE" category. While NEEDLE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TEASE".
WHEELS Connections Hint Today
WHEELS belongs to the Purple group ("TRAINING ___"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "TRAINING ___".
Definition: WHEELS is one of the four words in the "TRAINING ___" category. While WHEELS has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TRAINING ___".
RIDE Connections Hint Today
RIDE belongs to the Yellow group ("TEASE"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "TEASE".
Definition: RIDE is one of the four words in the "TEASE" category. While RIDE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TEASE".
COOL Connections Hint Today
COOL belongs to the Green group ("THERMOSTAT SETTINGS"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS".
Definition: COOL is one of the four words in the "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS" category. While COOL has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS".
CLAWS Connections Hint Today
CLAWS belongs to the Blue group ("FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME".
Definition: CLAWS is one of the four words in the "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME" category. While CLAWS has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME".
ROAST Connections Hint Today
ROAST belongs to the Yellow group ("TEASE"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "TEASE".
Definition: ROAST is one of the four words in the "TEASE" category. While ROAST has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TEASE".
WHIP Connections Hint Today
WHIP belongs to the Blue group ("FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME".
Definition: WHIP is one of the four words in the "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME" category. While WHIP has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME".
DAY Connections Hint Today
DAY belongs to the Purple group ("TRAINING ___"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "TRAINING ___".
Definition: DAY is one of the four words in the "TRAINING ___" category. While DAY has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TRAINING ___".
BODYSUIT belongs to the Blue group ("FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME".
💡 Spoiler-Free Hints — NYT Connections April 16, 2026
Not ready for the full answer? Try these progressive hints for today's Connections puzzle. We start vague and get more specific.
🟨 Yellow Group Hint
Theme Hint: This is the easiest category. Think about what connects the concept of "TEASE" — the answer involves words that all relate to this theme.
🟩 Green Group Hint
Theme Hint: This is a medium-difficulty category. Think about what connects the concept of "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS" — the answer involves words that all relate to this theme.
🟦 Blue Group Hint
Theme Hint: This is a tricky category. Think about what connects the concept of "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME" — the answer involves words that all relate to this theme.
🟪 Purple Group Hint
Theme Hint: This is the hardest category. Think about what connects the concept of "TRAINING ___" — the answer involves words that all relate to this theme.
🔓 Reveal Answers Progressively
Reveal each group step-by-step. Click "See Hint", then "See Group Name", then individual words.
Yellow Connections Hint Today
This is the easiest category. Think about what connects the concept of "TEASE" — the answer involves words that all relate to this theme.
Green Connections Hint Today
This is a medium-difficulty category. Think about what connects the concept of "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS" — the answer involves words that all relate to this theme.
Blue Connections Hint Today
This is a tricky category. Think about what connects the concept of "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME" — the answer involves words that all relate to this theme.
Purple Connections Hint Today
This is the hardest category. Think about what connects the concept of "TRAINING ___" — the answer involves words that all relate to this theme.
⚠️ Traps & Misdirects in Today's Connections
Today's puzzle includes words intentionally placed to misdirect you. These trap hints reveal which words are designed to mislead, so you don't burn your 4 allowed mistakes on deliberate decoys.
Words like NEEDLE and AUTO might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. NEEDLE is part of "TEASE" while AUTO belongs to "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS". Don't group them together.
Words like NEEDLE and BODYSUIT might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. NEEDLE is part of "TEASE" while BODYSUIT belongs to "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME". Don't group them together.
Words like NEEDLE and BRA might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. NEEDLE is part of "TEASE" while BRA belongs to "TRAINING ___". Don't group them together.
🔑 One-Word Hints for Each Group
Still need a nudge? Here's one word that describes each group's theme:
🟨 Yellow
TEASE
🟩 Green
THERMOSTAT SETTINGS
🟦 Blue
FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME
🟪 Purple
TRAINING ___
🔥 Two-Away Hints — Almost the Full Answer
Last chance before the full reveal. Here are two members of each group:
| Group | Two Revealed Words | Can You Find the Other Two? |
|---|---|---|
| 🟨 Yellow | NEEDLE, RIB | What other words fit the "TEASE" theme? |
| 🟩 Green | AUTO, COOL | What other words fit the "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS" theme? |
| 🟦 Blue | BODYSUIT, CLAWS | What other words fit the "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME" theme? |
| 🟪 Purple | BRA, CAMP | What other words fit the "TRAINING ___" theme? |
✅ Full Answers — NYT Connections Today, April 16, 2026 (Puzzle #1040)
Here are the complete NYT Connections answers for today, Thursday, April 16, 2026. Puzzle #1040 is fully solved below.
🟨 Yellow — TEASE
🟩 Green — THERMOSTAT SETTINGS
🟦 Blue — FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME
🟪 Purple — TRAINING ___
🔍 Per-Word Explanations — Every Answer Defined
Let's dive deep into every word in today's Connections Puzzle #1040 — what each word means, why it belongs to its group, and how the puzzle uses it.
🟨 Yellow (Easiest) — TEASE
The easiest category is "TEASE". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
NEEDLE
NEEDLE is one of the four words in the "TEASE" category. While NEEDLE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TEASE".
RIB
RIB is one of the four words in the "TEASE" category. While RIB has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TEASE".
RIDE
RIDE is one of the four words in the "TEASE" category. While RIDE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TEASE".
ROAST
ROAST is one of the four words in the "TEASE" category. While ROAST has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TEASE".
🟩 Green (Medium) — THERMOSTAT SETTINGS
The medium category is "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
AUTO
AUTO is one of the four words in the "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS" category. While AUTO has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS".
COOL
COOL is one of the four words in the "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS" category. While COOL has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS".
FAN
FAN is one of the four words in the "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS" category. While FAN has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS".
HEAT
HEAT is one of the four words in the "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS" category. While HEAT has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THERMOSTAT SETTINGS".
🟦 Blue (Hard) — FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME
The hard category is "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
BODYSUIT
BODYSUIT is one of the four words in the "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME" category. While BODYSUIT has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME".
CLAWS
CLAWS is one of the four words in the "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME" category. While CLAWS has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME".
MASK
MASK is one of the four words in the "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME" category. While MASK has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME".
WHIP
WHIP is one of the four words in the "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME" category. While WHIP has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME".
🟪 Purple (Hardest) — TRAINING ___
The hardest category is "TRAINING ___". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
BRA
BRA is one of the four words in the "TRAINING ___" category. While BRA has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TRAINING ___".
CAMP
CAMP is one of the four words in the "TRAINING ___" category. While CAMP has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TRAINING ___".
DAY
DAY is one of the four words in the "TRAINING ___" category. While DAY has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TRAINING ___".
WHEELS
WHEELS is one of the four words in the "TRAINING ___" category. While WHEELS has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TRAINING ___".
📊 Difficulty Analysis & Strategy Tips
| Group | Difficulty | Solve Order |
|---|---|---|
| 🟨 Yellow — TEASE | ⭐ Easy | Solve FIRST — the easiest category |
| 🟩 Green — THERMOSTAT SETTINGS | ⭐⭐ Medium | Solve SECOND |
| 🟦 Blue — FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME | ⭐⭐⭐ Hard | Solve THIRD |
| 🟪 Purple — TRAINING ___ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Hard | Solve LAST or by elimination |
🎮 How to Play NYT Connections
New to the game? Here's a quick guide:
1️⃣
Study the 16 Words
Find four groups of four related words in the 4×4 grid.
2️⃣
Select & Submit
Tap four words you think belong together and hit "Submit."
3️⃣
4 Mistakes Max
Wrong guesses cost a life. After 4 mistakes, the game ends.
4️⃣
Solve All Four
Yellow = easiest, Purple = hardest. Solve all four to win!
🗞️ What Is NYT Connections?
NYT Connections is a daily word puzzle game created by Wyna Liu and published by The New York Times. Launched in mid-2023, it has become one of the most popular word games online alongside Wordle. Each puzzle presents 16 words that must be organized into four groups of four sharing a common theme.
- 🟨 Yellow — Easiest (straightforward connections)
- 🟩 Green — Medium difficulty
- 🟦 Blue — Hard (tricky connections or wordplay)
- 🟪 Purple — Hardest (often abstract, suffix/prefix patterns, or obscure links)
📅 Yesterday's Answers — Puzzle #1144
- 🟨 FASTENERS: NAIL, RIVET, SCREW, STAPLE
- 🟩 NONDESCRIPT: BASIC, MID, PLAIN, VANILLA
- 🟦 UNITS OF WISDOM: GEM, NUGGET, PEARL, WORD
- 🟪 ____BOARDS IN A CLASSROOM: BLACK, CHALK, CORK, WHITE
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Connections April 16, 2026
The answers for NYT Connections Puzzle #1040 (April 16, 2026) are: 🟨 Yellow (TEASE): NEEDLE, RIB, RIDE, ROAST | 🟩 Green (THERMOSTAT SETTINGS): AUTO, COOL, FAN, HEAT | 🟦 Blue (FEATURES OF A CATWOMAN COSTUME): BODYSUIT, CLAWS, MASK, WHIP | 🟪 Purple (TRAINING ___): BRA, CAMP, DAY, WHEELS.
The yellow category in today's Connections (April 16, 2026) is "TEASE" and the four answers are NEEDLE, RIB, RIDE, ROAST.
The purple category in today's Connections (April 16, 2026) is "TRAINING ___" and the answers are BRA, CAMP, DAY, WHEELS.
A new NYT Connections puzzle is released every day at midnight Eastern Time (ET). That's 9:00 PM Pacific, 5:00 AM BST, or 2:00 PM AEST. Bookmark this page for daily hints!
You are allowed up to 4 mistakes. After 4 incorrect guesses, the game ends and all remaining answers are revealed. Start with Yellow (easiest) to minimize errors.
The colors indicate difficulty: 🟨 Yellow is the easiest, 🟩 Green is moderate, 🟦 Blue is tricky, and 🟪 Purple is the hardest (often involving wordplay or abstract connections).
Yes! NYT Connections is free to play daily on The New York Times website and app. No subscription is required. You can also play unlimited sports-themed puzzles for free at ConnectionsSports.com.
As of April 16, 2026, there have been 1,040 NYT Connections puzzles since the game launched on June 12, 2023.
🏆 That's Today's NYT Connections Solved — Puzzle #1040
Come back tomorrow for Puzzle #1041 — we'll have fresh hints and answers waiting for you right here!
Questions or feedback? Contact Ranjit Kumar — puzzle architect and creator of ConnectionsSports.com.
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