Green group — WORDS PRONOUNCED DIFFERENT WAYS AS PROPER NOUNS
Why is “POLISH” in the Green group?
relating to Poland, with different pronunciations in American and British English
Connections Hints for April 22, 2026 #1045
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 22, 2026 #1045
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Yellow Category — April 22, 2026
Green Category — April 22, 2026
Blue Category — April 22, 2026
Purple Category — April 22, 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 — WORDS PRONOUNCED DIFFERENT WAYS AS PROPER NOUNS
Why is “READING” in the Green group?
a town in England, with different pronunciations in American and British English
Word definitions
Tricky words in today's Connections (April 22, 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.
- POLISH
- Definition: relating to Poland, or a type of nail care
- Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including a nationality and a type of cosmetic
- READING
- Definition: a town in England, or the act of interpreting written text
- Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including a geographic location and an activity
- HERB
- Definition: a type of plant, or the American pronunciation of the name 'Herb'
- Why it's tricky: has different pronunciations in American and British English
- NICE
- Definition: a city in France, or an adjective meaning pleasant
- Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including a geographic location and a descriptive word
Connections #1045 explained
Why these words connect (April 22, 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: POTTERY EQUIPMENT
These are all essential items used in the process of creating pottery, including the raw material, a tool for shaping, and a device for firing.
Green group: WALLOP
These are all words that refer to a type of powerful strike or impact, including a punch, a slug, and a sock.
Blue group: WORDS PRONOUNCED DIFFERENT WAYS AS PROPER NOUNS
These are all words that have different pronunciations when used as proper nouns, including the name of a herb, a city in France, and a town in England.
Purple group: PICK-UP ___
These are all phrases that start with 'pick-up', including a type of artist, a type of game, and a type of vehicle.
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.
“DECK”
Seems like it belongs to: POTTERY EQUIPMENT
Actually belongs to: WALLOP
while a deck can be a type of surface for pottery, in this context it refers to a type of punch or hit
“STICKS”
Seems like it belongs to: POTTERY EQUIPMENT
Actually belongs to: PICK-UP ___
while sticks can be used in pottery, in this context it refers to a type of pick-up game
Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained
These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.
Why “DECK” didn't go with POTTERY EQUIPMENT
Seems like: POTTERY EQUIPMENT → Actually: WALLOP
while a deck can be a type of surface for pottery, in this context it refers to a type of punch or hit
Why “STICKS” didn't go with POTTERY EQUIPMENT
Seems like: POTTERY EQUIPMENT → Actually: PICK-UP ___
while sticks can be used in pottery, in this context it refers to a type of pick-up game