Green group — SAUCES IN CHINESE CUISINE
Why is “HOISIN” in the Green group?
a sweet and spicy sauce commonly used in Chinese cuisine
Connections Hints for February 17, 2026 #981
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Yellow Category — February 17, 2026
Green Category — February 17, 2026
Blue Category — February 17, 2026
Purple Category — February 17, 2026
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Purple group — STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "DUD"
Why is “MISSUS” in the Purple group?
an old-fashioned term for a wife, also a synonym for dud
Word definitions
Tricky words in today's Connections (February 17, 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.
- BOMBAY
- Definition: a synonym for dud, as in a bomb that fails to explode
- Why it's tricky: multiple meanings, including a city in India
- FLASH
- Definition: moving quickly, like the Flash superhero
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to a brief burst of light
- LEAF
- Definition: to turn pages, like leafing through a book
- Why it's tricky: more commonly refers to a plant part
- SKIM
- Definition: to glance over or read quickly
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to removing a layer from the surface
Connections #981 explained
Why these words connect (February 17, 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: ZOOM
These words all relate to speed or fast movement, like the Flash superhero or a dart flying through the air.
Green group: SAUCES IN CHINESE CUISINE
These words are all types of sauces commonly used in Chinese cuisine, such as hoisin or oyster sauce.
Blue group: RIFFLE (THROUGH)
These words all relate to quickly looking through or flipping through something, like rifling through a book or skimming a page.
Purple group: STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "DUD"
These words are all synonyms for 'dud', like a bomb that fails to explode or a bustle that doesn't succeed.
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.
“BUSTLE”
Seems like it belongs to: SAUCES IN CHINESE CUISINE
Actually belongs to: STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "DUD"
Bustle is a synonym for dud, but it sounds like a type of sauce
“FLASH”
Seems like it belongs to: RIFFLE (THROUGH)
Actually belongs to: ZOOM
Flash can refer to quickly looking at something, but in this context it refers to speed
“LEAF”
Seems like it belongs to: ZOOM
Actually belongs to: RIFFLE (THROUGH)
Leaf can refer to a page in a book, but it sounds like a fast movement
Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained
These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.
Why “BUSTLE” didn't go with SAUCES IN CHINESE CUISINE
Seems like: SAUCES IN CHINESE CUISINE → Actually: STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "DUD"
Bustle is a synonym for dud, but it sounds like a type of sauce
Why “FLASH” didn't go with RIFFLE (THROUGH)
Seems like: RIFFLE (THROUGH) → Actually: ZOOM
Flash can refer to quickly looking at something, but in this context it refers to speed
Why “LEAF” didn't go with ZOOM
Seems like: ZOOM → Actually: RIFFLE (THROUGH)
Leaf can refer to a page in a book, but it sounds like a fast movement