Green group — NON-PALINDROMIC WORDS IN A FAMOUS PALINDROME
Why is “ELBA” in the Green group?
an island in the Mediterranean where Napoleon was exiled
Connections Hints for May 15, 2026 #1068
Pro tip: Tap each section to reveal answers one at a time. If you just need a gentle hint, get the connection hint for May 15, 2026 #1068
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Yellow Category — May 15, 2026
Green Category — May 15, 2026
Blue Category — May 15, 2026
Purple Category — May 15, 2026
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Blue group — HOMOPHONES OF KINDS OF DOGS, FAMILIARLY
Why is “PEEK” in the Blue group?
a homophone for 'Pek', short for Pekingese, a breed of dog
Word definitions
Tricky words in today's Connections (May 15, 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.
- CIAO
- Definition: a homophone for 'Chow', a breed of dog
- Why it's tricky: can be mistaken for an Italian greeting
- PALM
- Definition: a homophone for 'Palm' as in a tree, but also sounds like 'Palm' as in a dog's paw pad, however in this context it refers to a homophone for 'Palm' as in a tree, but sounds like 'Pom', short for Pomeranian
- Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings and sounds similar to other words
- FORD
- Definition: to cross a river, especially at a shallow point
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to the car manufacturer
- BIRD
- Definition: Larry Bird, a basketball player
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to the animal
Connections #1068 explained
Why these words connect (May 15, 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: NAVIGATE THROUGH, AS A RIVER
These are all verbs that describe how a river or a person can move through or across something, such as crossing, fording, or traversing.
Green group: MULTI-TIME NBA MVPS
These are all last names of basketball players who have won the NBA Most Valuable Player award multiple times, including Larry Bird, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan.
Blue group: NON-PALINDROMIC WORDS IN A FAMOUS PALINDROME
These are all words that appear in the famous palindrome 'A man, a plan, a canal, Panama!', but are not themselves palindromes.
Purple group: HOMOPHONES OF KINDS OF DOGS, FAMILIARLY
These are all words that sound like types of dogs when spoken, such as 'Chow' sounding like 'CIAO', 'Pom' sounding like 'PALM', 'Pek' sounding like 'PEEK', and 'Pit' sounding like 'PITT'.
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.
“BIRD”
Seems like it belongs to: HOMOPHONES OF KINDS OF DOGS, FAMILIARLY
Actually belongs to: MULTI-TIME NBA MVPS
Larry Bird is a famous basketball player, but 'bird' can also sound like a type of dog
“PALM”
Seems like it belongs to: NAVIGATE THROUGH, AS A RIVER
Actually belongs to: HOMOPHONES OF KINDS OF DOGS, FAMILIARLY
palm can refer to a tree, but in this context it sounds like 'Pom', short for Pomeranian
Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained
These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.
Why “BIRD” didn't go with HOMOPHONES OF KINDS OF DOGS, FAMILIARLY
Seems like: HOMOPHONES OF KINDS OF DOGS, FAMILIARLY → Actually: MULTI-TIME NBA MVPS
Larry Bird is a famous basketball player, but 'bird' can also sound like a type of dog
Why “PALM” didn't go with NAVIGATE THROUGH, AS A RIVER
Seems like: NAVIGATE THROUGH, AS A RIVER → Actually: HOMOPHONES OF KINDS OF DOGS, FAMILIARLY
palm can refer to a tree, but in this context it sounds like 'Pom', short for Pomeranian