Yellow group — DOWNRIGHT
Why is “STARK” in the Yellow group?
completely or utterly, without any qualification
Connections Hints for February 13, 2026 #977
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Yellow Category — February 13, 2026
Green Category — February 13, 2026
Blue Category — February 13, 2026
Purple Category — February 13, 2026
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Green group — HOMOPHONES OF WAYS TO GET SMALLER
Why is “RESEED” in the Green group?
to sow seeds again, or a homophone of reduce
Word definitions
Tricky words in today's Connections (February 13, 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.
- STARK
- Definition: completely or utterly
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to the Game of Thrones house
- SYNC
- Definition: homophone of shrink
- Why it's tricky: commonly refers to synchronizing data
- LESSON
- Definition: homophone of lessen
- Why it's tricky: typically refers to a teaching session
- RESEED
- Definition: homophone of reduce
- Why it's tricky: commonly refers to re-sowing seeds
Connections #977 explained
Why these words connect (February 13, 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: DOWNRIGHT
These words all convey a sense of completeness or absoluteness, often used to emphasize a point or describe something without any qualification.
Green group: PENNANT
These words all refer to types of flags or banners, often used to represent a team, organization, or country.
Blue group: CIGARETTE BRANDS
These words are all popular cigarette brands, often recognized by their distinctive logos or advertising campaigns.
Purple group: HOMOPHONES OF WAYS TO GET SMALLER
These words are all homophones of phrases that mean to get smaller, such as lessen, shrink, or reduce.
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.
“FLAG”
Seems like it belongs to: CIGARETTE BRANDS
Actually belongs to: PENNANT
while some cigarette brands have a flag logo, the word flag itself belongs to the pennant category
“STANDARD”
Seems like it belongs to: CIGARETTE BRANDS
Actually belongs to: PENNANT
standard can refer to a cigarette brand, but in this context, it refers to a pennant or flag
Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained
These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.
Why “FLAG” didn't go with CIGARETTE BRANDS
Seems like: CIGARETTE BRANDS → Actually: PENNANT
while some cigarette brands have a flag logo, the word flag itself belongs to the pennant category
Why “STANDARD” didn't go with CIGARETTE BRANDS
Seems like: CIGARETTE BRANDS → Actually: PENNANT
standard can refer to a cigarette brand, but in this context, it refers to a pennant or flag