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Verified archive for June 17, 2026 Spoiler-safePuzzle #1102

NYT Connections #1102 Hints & Answers (June 17, 2026)

Connections puzzle #1102, edited by Wyna Liu, combines a concrete spatial set with attitude vocabulary, Greek myth figures, and a demanding word-start construction.

Guide editorJordan EllisEditor

Start here

Take one step at a time

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

Need more than a hint?

Get a spoiler-safe solving plan

Use three general checks to make progress without seeing a category or answer.

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.

Reveal guide

Choose only as much help as you need

Every group has its own ladder. Opening one level never exposes another group.

  1. 1
    Start with a small hint

    Get a gentle nudge without seeing the category or its words.

  2. 2
    Ask for a stronger hint

    Use a more specific clue before revealing the category.

  3. 3
    Reveal only what you choose

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

You remain in control. You can move between levels without revealing the rest of the puzzle.

Practice board guide

Try a group without risking your streak

This scratchpad checks your thinking locally. It never sends a guess to the official puzzle.

  1. 1
    Choose four words

    Tap any four tiles that share one precise connection.

  2. 2
    Check the set

    Once four are selected, press “Check these four.”

  3. 3
    Keep it or adjust

    A correct group is confirmed. If it misses, swap one word or open a hint.

Nothing here affects an official streak. Clear the board at any time and try another four.

June 17, 2026 puzzle explained

How the June 17 puzzle fits together

The board escalates cleanly from concrete synonyms to figurative language, proper names, and prefix-like wordplay. ECHO and IRIS are especially effective traps because both have common non-mythological senses, while CLASSIC and TYPEFACE can appear loosely related through design.

Overall difficultyHardBiggest trapSeveral words invite familiar but misleading readings: CAVITY suggests dentistry, ECHO suggests sound, CLASSIC suggests quality, and NERVE can describe anatomy rather than attitude.Best first moveBegin with the four words that can name a small recessed space: CAVITY, NICHE, NOOK, and RECESS.

Why the board is deceptive

The most direct group names four kinds of alcove, although CAVITY may initially steer solvers toward teeth or anatomy.

The last wordplay grouping depends on taking the beginnings of longer words while the Greek mythology set fights against several everyday meanings.

Open the clean solving route

One way through the board

Lock in CAVITY, NICHE, NOOK, and RECESS first, then isolate CHEEK, LIP, MOUTH, and NERVE as bodily words for attitude. The mythological names leave four words whose openings are synonyms for "ilk."

Spoilers below

June 17, 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.

A small recessed spaceReveal this group

What connects CAVITY, NICHE, NOOK and RECESS?

CAVITY · NICHE · NOOK · RECESS

ALCOVE. Each word can refer to a hollow, indentation, or small recessed space resembling an alcove.

Best anchor: small recessed-space synonyms

Anatomical terms that can signal insolenceReveal this group

What connects CHEEK, LIP, MOUTH and NERVE?

CHEEK · LIP · MOUTH · NERVE

BODILY WORDS FOR ATTITUDE. These body-related words can all refer to boldness, insolence, or disrespectful speech and behavior.

Best anchor: body words expressing attitude

Named beings from ancient Greek storiesReveal this group

What connects CALLIOPE, ECHO, IRIS and NEMESIS?

CALLIOPE · ECHO · IRIS · NEMESIS

FIGURES IN GREEK MYTH. CALLIOPE, ECHO, IRIS, and NEMESIS are all names of figures found in Greek myth.

Best anchor: named figures from Greek mythology

Words whose openings mean a kind or sortReveal this group

What connects CLASSIC, KINDLE, SORTIE and TYPEFACE?

CLASSIC · KINDLE · SORTIE · TYPEFACE

STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "ILK". The words start with CLASS, KIND, SORT, and TYPE, each of which can mean "ilk" in the sense of a category or kind.

Best anchor: word beginnings synonymous with ilk

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
    ALCOVE

    small recessed-space synonyms

  2. 2
    BODILY WORDS FOR ATTITUDE

    body words expressing attitude

  3. 3
    FIGURES IN GREEK MYTH

    named figures from Greek mythology

  4. 4
    STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "ILK"

    word beginnings synonymous with ilk

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: Begin with the four words that can name a small recessed space: CAVITY, NICHE, NOOK, and RECESS..

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.

Easy groupA small recessed space
ALCOVE: small recessed-space synonyms
Moderate groupAnatomical terms that can signal insolence
BODILY WORDS FOR ATTITUDE: body words expressing attitude
Moderate groupNamed beings from ancient Greek stories
FIGURES IN GREEK MYTH: named figures from Greek mythology
Hard groupWords whose openings mean a kind or sort
STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "ILK": word beginnings synonymous with ilk

Questions players ask

Questions about this puzzle

What makes Connections #1102 tricky?

Several words invite familiar but misleading readings: CAVITY suggests dentistry, ECHO suggests sound, CLASSIC suggests quality, and NERVE can describe anatomy rather than attitude.

Where should I start with the June 17, 2026 puzzle?

Begin with the four words that can name a small recessed space: CAVITY, NICHE, NOOK, and RECESS.

About the guide editor

Jordan Ellis

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