Green group — DAUNT
Why is “rattle” in the Green group?
to intimidate or frighten, like a rattlesnake
Connections Hints for January 26, 2026 #959
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Yellow Category — January 26, 2026
Green Category — January 26, 2026
Blue Category — January 26, 2026
Purple Category — January 26, 2026
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Blue group — MAMMALS MINUS LAST LETTER
Why is “goa” in the Blue group?
a type of goat, minus the last letter
Word definitions
Tricky words in today's Connections (January 26, 2026)
Several words in today's puzzle have multiple meanings or obscure definitions that can throw you off. Here's what each one means in the context of this Connections grid.
- buffalo
- Definition: to intimidate or overwhelm
- Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including a city and an animal
- close
- Definition: actress Glenn Close
- Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including a verb and an adjective
- field
- Definition: actress Sally Field
- Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including a noun and a surname
- foster
- Definition: actress Jodie Foster
- Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including a verb and a surname
Connections #959 explained
Why these words connect (January 26, 2026)
Understanding the logic behind each group helps you spot similar patterns in future puzzles. Here's the reasoning for every category in today's Connections.
Yellow group: EXPLOIT
These words all relate to taking advantage of or exploiting something, whether it's a resource, a person, or a situation. Examples include draining a resource, fleecing someone, milking a situation, or squeezing something for all it's worth.
Green group: DAUNT
These words all relate to intimidating or frightening someone or something, whether it's an animal, a person, or a situation. Examples include buffaloing someone, cowing them, rattling them, or ruffling their feathers.
Blue group: ICONIC ACTRESSES
These words are all last names of iconic actresses, including Glenn Close, Sally Field, Jodie Foster, and Sigourney Weaver.
Purple group: MAMMALS MINUS LAST LETTER
These words are all mammals with the last letter removed, such as badge (badger), goa (goat), moos (moose), and rabbi (rabbit).
Red herrings and trap words explained
These words were designed to mislead you. Understanding why they don't belong where you first think sharpens your game for tomorrow.
“buffalo”
Seems like it belongs to: EXPLOIT
Actually belongs to: DAUNT
Buffalo can mean to intimidate, but it's actually in the DAUNT category, referring to the animal or the city.
“milk”
Seems like it belongs to: MAMMALS MINUS LAST LETTER
Actually belongs to: EXPLOIT
Milk is often associated with mammals, but it's actually in the EXPLOIT category, referring to the act of exploiting or taking advantage of something.
Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained
These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.
Why “buffalo” didn't go with EXPLOIT
Seems like: EXPLOIT → Actually: DAUNT
Buffalo can mean to intimidate, but it's actually in the DAUNT category, referring to the animal or the city.
Why “milk” didn't go with MAMMALS MINUS LAST LETTER
Seems like: MAMMALS MINUS LAST LETTER → Actually: EXPLOIT
Milk is often associated with mammals, but it's actually in the EXPLOIT category, referring to the act of exploiting or taking advantage of something.