Purple group — STARTING WITH SODA BRANDS
Why is “PEPSINOGEN” in the Purple group?
a precursor to pepsin, an enzyme, related to Pepsi
Connections Hints for April 18, 2026 #1041
Pro tip: Tap each section to reveal answers one at a time. If you just need a gentle hint, get the connection hint for April 18, 2026 #1041
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Yellow Category — April 18, 2026
Green Category — April 18, 2026
Blue Category — April 18, 2026
Purple Category — April 18, 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 SODA BRANDS
Why is “FRESCADE” in the Purple group?
possibly related to Fresca soda, a citrus-flavored soft drink
Word definitions
Tricky words in today's Connections (April 18, 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.
- MARVEL
- Definition: to feel great wonder or admiration
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to the comic book universe
- POWER
- Definition: the rate at which electrical energy is transferred
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to physical strength or authority
- CRUSHWORTHY
- Definition: worthy of having a crush on, related to Crush soda
- Why it's tricky: sounds like a general term for attractiveness
- FANTAGRAPHICS
- Definition: related to Fantagraphics, a publisher, and possibly Fanta soda
- Why it's tricky: sounds like a general term for fantasy graphics
Connections #1041 explained
Why these words connect (April 18, 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: LOOK AT WITH AWE
These are all verbs that describe the act of looking at something with great wonder or admiration, such as marveling at a beautiful view or staring at a work of art in awe
Green group: BASIC ELECTRICITY TERMS
These are all basic terms used in the study of electricity, including types of current and measures of electrical force, such as AC and DC, which are types of electrical current
Blue group: UNEXPECTED WINNER
These are all idiomatic expressions that describe a person or thing that wins or succeeds when they are not expected to, such as a dark horse or an underdog, which are terms used in sports and politics to describe unexpected winners
Purple group: STARTING WITH SODA BRANDS
These are all words that start with the names of popular soda brands, such as Crush and Fanta, which are used as prefixes to create new words, such as crushworthy and Fantagraphics
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.
“POWER”
Seems like it belongs to: UNEXPECTED WINNER
Actually belongs to: BASIC ELECTRICITY TERMS
while power can refer to the ability to win, in this context it refers to electrical power
“MARVEL”
Seems like it belongs to: BASIC ELECTRICITY TERMS
Actually belongs to: LOOK AT WITH AWE
while Marvel is a company that uses electricity in its themes, the word marvel in this context means to feel wonder
Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained
These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.
Why “POWER” didn't go with UNEXPECTED WINNER
Seems like: UNEXPECTED WINNER → Actually: BASIC ELECTRICITY TERMS
while power can refer to the ability to win, in this context it refers to electrical power
Why “MARVEL” didn't go with BASIC ELECTRICITY TERMS
Seems like: BASIC ELECTRICITY TERMS → Actually: LOOK AT WITH AWE
while Marvel is a company that uses electricity in its themes, the word marvel in this context means to feel wonder