Green group — SAUCES IN CHINESE CUISINE
Why is “HOISIN” in the Green group?
a sweet and spicy Chinese sauce, often used in marinades and stir-fries
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 “BOMBAY” in the Purple group?
an old term for a dud or failure, also the name of a city in India
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
- MISSUS
- Definition: an old-fashioned term for a wife, similar to 'dud' as in a failed marriage
- Why it's tricky: archaic and easily misunderstood
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 moving quickly, like zooming through space or time. They evoke a sense of speed and swiftness, like the Flash superhero or a dart flying through the air.
Green group: SAUCES IN CHINESE CUISINE
These words all represent different types of sauces commonly used in Chinese cooking, like hoisin or oyster sauce. They add flavor and depth to various dishes, from stir-fries to marinades.
Blue group: RIFFLE (THROUGH)
These words all relate to the act of quickly flipping or skimming through something, like rifling through a book or skimming a document. They imply a sense of speed and efficiency, like thumbing through a magazine.
Purple group: STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "DUD"
These words all represent different synonyms for 'dud', like a bomb that fails to explode or a bust that doesn't succeed. They imply a sense of failure or disappointment, like a floppy disk that doesn't work.
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.
“FLASH”
Seems like it belongs to: RIFFLE (THROUGH)
Actually belongs to: ZOOM
while 'flash' can imply quick movement, it's more closely related to speed and zooming
“LEAF”
Seems like it belongs to: ZOOM
Actually belongs to: RIFFLE (THROUGH)
although 'leaf' can imply quick movement, it's more closely related to flipping through pages
Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained
These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.
Why “FLASH” didn't go with RIFFLE (THROUGH)
Seems like: RIFFLE (THROUGH) → Actually: ZOOM
while 'flash' can imply quick movement, it's more closely related to speed and zooming
Why “LEAF” didn't go with ZOOM
Seems like: ZOOM → Actually: RIFFLE (THROUGH)
although 'leaf' can imply quick movement, it's more closely related to flipping through pages