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Verified archive for May 23, 2026 Spoiler-safePuzzle #1077

NYT Connections #1077 Hints & Answers (May 23, 2026)

Connections puzzle No. 1077 for May 23, 2026 mixes recognizable hairstyles and Marvel characters with a compact language set and a precise Star Wars title pattern.

Guide editorNora BennettSenior Editor

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4 groups
Group 1Category hidden
Group 2Category hidden
Group 3Category hidden
Group 4Category hidden

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Open today’s solving plan
  1. Prefer an exact rule.A shared topic is only a lead. Look for four words connected in the same precise way.
  2. Find the least flexible word.Use the word with the narrowest meaning to place words that could belong in several groups.
  3. Test the grammar.If the leftovers look unrelated, try placing one common word before or after each answer.

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  1. 1
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  2. 2
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  3. 3
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    Open the category, then the four words only when you are ready.

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  1. 1
    Choose four words

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  2. 2
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  3. 3
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May 23, 2026 puzzle explained

How the May 23 board fits together

The central misdirection comes from flexible words such as FIRST, LAST, FORCE and RATHER. The final group requires recognizing a shared title position rather than merely identifying words associated with Star Wars.

Overall difficultyModerate, with a demanding final wordplay groupBiggest trapFIRST, LAST, SOONER and RATHER can look like one broad sequence or preference-based set, while several character names also have ordinary dictionary meanings.Best first moveStart with the four unmistakable hairstyle names, then isolate the Marvel characters before resolving the adverbial and movie-title groups.

Why the board is deceptive

The board becomes more manageable once BEEHIVE, BOUFFANT, CHIGNON and POMPADOUR are recognized as hairstyles.

The remaining words divide among comparative preference language, Marvel characters and words completing specific Star Wars movie titles.

Open the clean solving route

One way through the board

Lock in the four hairstyles first. Next, group the clearly named Marvel characters. With eight words left, separate the terms meaning more readily from the words that follow “THE” in Star Wars movie titles.

Spoilers below

May 23, 2026 groups and answers

Each group stays hidden until you choose to open it. Reveal one at a time, or keep this section closed while you continue solving.

Styled hair arrangementsReveal this group

What connects BEEHIVE, BOUFFANT, CHIGNON and POMPADOUR?

BEEHIVE · BOUFFANT · CHIGNON · POMPADOUR

HAIRDOS. All four words name distinctive hairstyles or ways of arranging and shaping hair.

Best anchor: Four recognizable hairstyle names

Indicating greater willingness or readinessReveal this group

What connects FIRST, PREFERABLY, RATHER and SOONER?

FIRST · PREFERABLY · RATHER · SOONER

MORE READILY. Each word can express doing, choosing or accepting something more readily than an alternative.

Best anchor: Terms expressing stronger preference

Heroes and figures from MarvelReveal this group

What connects DAREDEVIL, HAWKEYE, NIGHTCRAWLER and WOLVERINE?

DAREDEVIL · HAWKEYE · NIGHTCRAWLER · WOLVERINE

MARVEL CHARACTERS. DAREDEVIL, HAWKEYE, NIGHTCRAWLER and WOLVERINE are all Marvel characters.

Best anchor: Names belonging to Marvel characters

Complete Star Wars movie titles after “The”Reveal this group

What connects EMPIRE, FORCE, LAST and PHANTOM?

EMPIRE · FORCE · LAST · PHANTOM

WORDS AFTER "THE" IN "STAR WARS" MOVIE TITLES. Each word appears immediately after “THE” in a Star Wars movie title: The Empire Strikes Back, The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and The Phantom Menace.

Best anchor: Words following THE in film titles

How to solve this Connections puzzle

The thinking route, not just the answers

Use this puzzle’s anchor words as a repeatable method: secure an exact group, remove it, and let the remaining board become more specific.

  1. 1
    HAIRDOS

    Four recognizable hairstyle names

  2. 2
    MORE READILY

    Terms expressing stronger preference

  3. 3
    MARVEL CHARACTERS

    Names belonging to Marvel characters

  4. 4
    WORDS AFTER "THE" IN "STAR WARS" MOVIE TITLES

    Words following THE in film titles

Mental model to reuse tomorrow

Exact relationship beats shared topic

Weak rule“These words feel related.”A broad topic can support several tempting but unstable groups.

Strong rule“The same test works for all four.”One precise relationship should explain every answer in the same way.

This puzzle’s best first move: Start with the four unmistakable hairstyle names, then isolate the Marvel characters before resolving the adverbial and movie-title groups..

Build your solving vocabulary

Four anchors worth spotting

An anchor is the least flexible word in a possible group. It often exposes the intended relationship before the more ambiguous words do.

Straightforward once the less common hairstyle terms are recognized groupStyled hair arrangements
HAIRDOS: Four recognizable hairstyle names
Moderate because several entries can serve other grammatical roles groupIndicating greater willingness or readiness
MORE READILY: Terms expressing stronger preference
Moderate, with ordinary-word readings creating distractions groupHeroes and figures from Marvel
MARVEL CHARACTERS: Names belonging to Marvel characters
Tricky because the entries are broad nouns and one adjective outside the title pattern groupComplete Star Wars movie titles after “The”
WORDS AFTER "THE" IN "STAR WARS" MOVIE TITLES: Words following THE in film titles

Questions players ask

Questions about this puzzle

What makes Connections #1077 tricky?

FIRST, LAST, SOONER and RATHER can look like one broad sequence or preference-based set, while several character names also have ordinary dictionary meanings.

Where should I start with the May 23, 2026 puzzle?

Start with the four unmistakable hairstyle names, then isolate the Marvel characters before resolving the adverbial and movie-title groups.

About the guide editor

Nora Bennett

An editor focused on spoiler-conscious daily puzzle guides and plain-English solving explanations.

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