NYT Connections Hints and Answers — Wednesday, April 22, 2026 (Puzzle #1046)
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🧩 NYT Connections Answers Today — April 22, 2026 (Puzzle #1046)
Here are the complete answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle, Wednesday, April 22, 2026:
- 🟨 Yellow – Pottery equipment: CLAY, GLAZE, KILN, WHEEL
- 🟩 Green – Wallop: DECK, PUNCH, SLUG, SOCK
- 🟦 Blue – Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns: HERB, NICE, POLISH, READING
- 🟪 Purple – Pick-up ___: ARTIST, GAME, STICKS, TRUCK
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 Wednesday, April 22, 2026. If you're stuck on Puzzle #1046, 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 #1046
- Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
- Puzzle Number: #1046
- Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium)
- Trickiest Category: Purple — Pick-up ___
- Easiest Category: Yellow — Pottery equipment
📖 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 22, 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.
SLUG Connections Hint Today
SLUG belongs to the Green group ("Wallop"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Wallop".
Definition: SLUG is one of the four words in the "Wallop" category. While SLUG has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Wallop".
WHEEL Connections Hint Today
WHEEL belongs to the Yellow group ("Pottery equipment"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Pottery equipment".
Definition: WHEEL is one of the four words in the "Pottery equipment" category. While WHEEL has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pottery equipment".
POLISH Connections Hint Today
POLISH belongs to the Blue group ("Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns".
Definition: POLISH is one of the four words in the "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns" category. While POLISH has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns".
TRUCK Connections Hint Today
TRUCK belongs to the Purple group ("Pick-up ___"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Pick-up ___".
Definition: TRUCK is one of the four words in the "Pick-up ___" category. While TRUCK has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pick-up ___".
NICE Connections Hint Today
NICE belongs to the Blue group ("Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns".
Definition: NICE is one of the four words in the "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns" category. While NICE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns".
CLAY Connections Hint Today
CLAY belongs to the Yellow group ("Pottery equipment"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Pottery equipment".
Definition: CLAY is one of the four words in the "Pottery equipment" category. While CLAY has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pottery equipment".
GLAZE Connections Hint Today
GLAZE belongs to the Yellow group ("Pottery equipment"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Pottery equipment".
Definition: GLAZE is one of the four words in the "Pottery equipment" category. While GLAZE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pottery equipment".
ARTIST Connections Hint Today
ARTIST belongs to the Purple group ("Pick-up ___"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Pick-up ___".
Definition: ARTIST is one of the four words in the "Pick-up ___" category. While ARTIST has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pick-up ___".
GAME Connections Hint Today
GAME belongs to the Purple group ("Pick-up ___"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Pick-up ___".
Definition: GAME is one of the four words in the "Pick-up ___" category. While GAME has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pick-up ___".
HERB Connections Hint Today
HERB belongs to the Blue group ("Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns".
Definition: HERB is one of the four words in the "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns" category. While HERB has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns".
READING Connections Hint Today
READING belongs to the Blue group ("Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns".
Definition: READING is one of the four words in the "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns" category. While READING has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns".
KILN Connections Hint Today
KILN belongs to the Yellow group ("Pottery equipment"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Pottery equipment".
Definition: KILN is one of the four words in the "Pottery equipment" category. While KILN has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pottery equipment".
DECK Connections Hint Today
DECK belongs to the Green group ("Wallop"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Wallop".
Definition: DECK is one of the four words in the "Wallop" category. While DECK has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Wallop".
PUNCH Connections Hint Today
PUNCH belongs to the Green group ("Wallop"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Wallop".
Definition: PUNCH is one of the four words in the "Wallop" category. While PUNCH has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Wallop".
STICKS Connections Hint Today
STICKS belongs to the Purple group ("Pick-up ___"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Pick-up ___".
Definition: STICKS is one of the four words in the "Pick-up ___" category. While STICKS has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pick-up ___".
SOCK Connections Hint Today
SOCK belongs to the Green group ("Wallop"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Wallop".
Definition: SOCK is one of the four words in the "Wallop" category. While SOCK has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Wallop".
SLUG belongs to the Green group ("Wallop"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "Wallop".
💡 Spoiler-Free Hints — NYT Connections April 22, 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 "Pottery equipment" — 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 "Wallop" — 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 "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns" — 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 "Pick-up ___" — 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 "Pottery equipment" — 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 "Wallop" — 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 "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns" — 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 "Pick-up ___" — 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 CLAY and DECK might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. CLAY is part of "Pottery equipment" while DECK belongs to "Wallop". Don't group them together.
Words like CLAY and HERB might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. CLAY is part of "Pottery equipment" while HERB belongs to "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns". Don't group them together.
Words like CLAY and ARTIST might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. CLAY is part of "Pottery equipment" while ARTIST belongs to "Pick-up ___". 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
POTTERY EQUIPMENT
🟩 Green
WALLOP
🟦 Blue
WORDS PRONOUNCED DIFFERENT WAYS AS PROPER NOUNS
🟪 Purple
PICK-UP ___
🔥 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 | CLAY, GLAZE | What other words fit the "Pottery equipment" theme? |
| 🟩 Green | DECK, PUNCH | What other words fit the "Wallop" theme? |
| 🟦 Blue | HERB, NICE | What other words fit the "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns" theme? |
| 🟪 Purple | ARTIST, GAME | What other words fit the "Pick-up ___" theme? |
✅ Full Answers — NYT Connections Today, April 22, 2026 (Puzzle #1046)
Here are the complete NYT Connections answers for today, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Puzzle #1046 is fully solved below.
🟨 Yellow — Pottery equipment
🟩 Green — Wallop
🟦 Blue — Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns
🟪 Purple — Pick-up ___
🔍 Per-Word Explanations — Every Answer Defined
Let's dive deep into every word in today's Connections Puzzle #1046 — what each word means, why it belongs to its group, and how the puzzle uses it.
🟨 Yellow (Easiest) — Pottery equipment
The easiest category is "Pottery equipment". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
CLAY
CLAY is one of the four words in the "Pottery equipment" category. While CLAY has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pottery equipment".
GLAZE
GLAZE is one of the four words in the "Pottery equipment" category. While GLAZE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pottery equipment".
KILN
KILN is one of the four words in the "Pottery equipment" category. While KILN has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pottery equipment".
WHEEL
WHEEL is one of the four words in the "Pottery equipment" category. While WHEEL has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pottery equipment".
🟩 Green (Medium) — Wallop
The medium category is "Wallop". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
DECK
DECK is one of the four words in the "Wallop" category. While DECK has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Wallop".
PUNCH
PUNCH is one of the four words in the "Wallop" category. While PUNCH has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Wallop".
SLUG
SLUG is one of the four words in the "Wallop" category. While SLUG has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Wallop".
SOCK
SOCK is one of the four words in the "Wallop" category. While SOCK has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Wallop".
🟦 Blue (Hard) — Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns
The hard category is "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
HERB
HERB is one of the four words in the "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns" category. While HERB has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns".
NICE
NICE is one of the four words in the "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns" category. While NICE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns".
POLISH
POLISH is one of the four words in the "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns" category. While POLISH has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns".
READING
READING is one of the four words in the "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns" category. While READING has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns".
🟪 Purple (Hardest) — Pick-up ___
The hardest category is "Pick-up ___". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
ARTIST
ARTIST is one of the four words in the "Pick-up ___" category. While ARTIST has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pick-up ___".
GAME
GAME is one of the four words in the "Pick-up ___" category. While GAME has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pick-up ___".
STICKS
STICKS is one of the four words in the "Pick-up ___" category. While STICKS has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pick-up ___".
TRUCK
TRUCK is one of the four words in the "Pick-up ___" category. While TRUCK has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "Pick-up ___".
📊 Difficulty Analysis & Strategy Tips
| Group | Difficulty | Solve Order |
|---|---|---|
| 🟨 Yellow — Pottery equipment | ⭐ Easy | Solve FIRST — the easiest category |
| 🟩 Green — Wallop | ⭐⭐ Medium | Solve SECOND |
| 🟦 Blue — Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns | ⭐⭐⭐ Hard | Solve THIRD |
| 🟪 Purple — Pick-up ___ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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 #1145
- 🟨 Virtuous: FAIR, GOOD, JUST, RIGHT
- 🟩 Activities With Multiple Balls: BEER PONG, BINGO, JUGGLING, POOL
- 🟦 Cruise Lines: CARNIVAL, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, VIKING
- 🟪 On the ___, To Mean "Precise": DOT, MARK, MONEY, NOSE
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Connections April 22, 2026
The answers for NYT Connections Puzzle #1046 (April 22, 2026) are: 🟨 Yellow (Pottery equipment): CLAY, GLAZE, KILN, WHEEL | 🟩 Green (Wallop): DECK, PUNCH, SLUG, SOCK | 🟦 Blue (Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns): HERB, NICE, POLISH, READING | 🟪 Purple (Pick-up ___): ARTIST, GAME, STICKS, TRUCK.
The yellow category in today's Connections (April 22, 2026) is "Pottery equipment" and the four answers are CLAY, GLAZE, KILN, WHEEL.
The purple category in today's Connections (April 22, 2026) is "Pick-up ___" and the answers are ARTIST, GAME, STICKS, TRUCK.
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 22, 2026, there have been 1,046 NYT Connections puzzles since the game launched on June 12, 2023.
🏆 That's Today's NYT Connections Solved — Puzzle #1046
Come back tomorrow for Puzzle #1047 — 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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