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Verified archive for June 20, 2026 Spoiler-safePuzzle #1105

NYT Connections Hints and Answers for June 20, 2026

Connections for June 20, 2026 combines two direct vocabulary groups with a repeated-title music set and a spelling-and-sound pattern involving the letter K.

Guide editorSofia RamirezEditor

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

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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.

Today’s puzzle explained

Connections #1105 overview

The board shifts from concrete objects to verbs, music-title knowledge and orthographic wordplay. BACK is the strongest trap because it can be associated with a chair, while ROCKER can evoke music and distract from the seating group.

Overall difficultyModerate, with a wordplay-heavy final group and several plausible cross-group associations.Biggest trapBACK and ROCKER can suggest chair parts, while CHAMPION may look like a noun rather than a verb. The four K entries are also easier to recognize after the direct semantic groups are removed.Best first moveStart with the unmistakable chair types: BEANBAG, RECLINER, ROCKER and STOOL.

Why the board is deceptive

The chair group offers the cleanest entry because all four words name familiar kinds of seating.

The endorsement verbs come next, leaving song-title repetition and the mixed K-sound pattern to resolve.

Open the clean solving route

One way through the board

Lock in the four chair types first, then read BACK, BOLSTER, CHAMPION and SUPPORT as verbs. Match the repeated song-title words before using the remaining four entries to identify the K pattern.

Spoilers below

Today’s 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.

K spellings with two sound treatmentsReveal this group

What connects JACKKNIFE, KNAPSACK, KNICKS and KNOCK-KNOCK?

JACKKNIFE · KNAPSACK · KNICKS · KNOCK-KNOCK

FEATURING SILENT AND PRONOUNCED "K"S. Every entry features both treatments of K: one K is pronounced while another is silent in the same word or expression.

Best anchor: Silent and sounded K in each entry

Express approval or advocacyReveal this group

What connects BACK, BOLSTER, CHAMPION and SUPPORT?

BACK · BOLSTER · CHAMPION · SUPPORT

ENDORSE. Used as verbs, all four words can mean to endorse, promote or lend approval to a person, proposal or cause.

Best anchor: Verbs for giving active approval

Seats of several stylesReveal this group

What connects BEANBAG, RECLINER, ROCKER and STOOL?

BEANBAG · RECLINER · ROCKER · STOOL

KINDS OF CHAIRS. Each word names a recognizable kind of chair or seat, from a soft BEANBAG to a backless STOOL.

Best anchor: Four familiar forms of seating

Repeated words in famous song namesReveal this group

What connects JUMPIN', LOUIE, NEW YORK and REBEL?

JUMPIN' · LOUIE · NEW YORK · REBEL

WORDS REPEATED IN HIT SONG TITLES. Each entry is the element repeated in a hit song title: JUMPIN', JUMPIN'; LOUIE LOUIE; NEW YORK, NEW YORK; and REBEL REBEL.

Best anchor: Title elements sung or stated twice

How to solve this Connections puzzle

The thinking route, not just the answers

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

  1. 1
    FEATURING SILENT AND PRONOUNCED "K"S

    Silent and sounded K in each entry

  2. 2
    ENDORSE

    Verbs for giving active approval

  3. 3
    KINDS OF CHAIRS

    Four familiar forms of seating

  4. 4
    WORDS REPEATED IN HIT SONG TITLES

    Title elements sung or stated twice

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.

Today’s best first move: Start with the unmistakable chair types: BEANBAG, RECLINER, ROCKER and STOOL..

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.

Hard groupK spellings with two sound treatments
FEATURING SILENT AND PRONOUNCED "K"S: Silent and sounded K in each entry
Easy to moderate groupExpress approval or advocacy
ENDORSE: Verbs for giving active approval
Easy groupSeats of several styles
KINDS OF CHAIRS: Four familiar forms of seating
Moderate groupRepeated words in famous song names
WORDS REPEATED IN HIT SONG TITLES: Title elements sung or stated twice

Questions players ask

Connections help without extra spoilers

I’m stuck. Which hint should I open first?

Start with the small hint for the group you feel closest to solving. Use the stronger hint only if the first nudge is not enough, then reveal the category or four words when you want confirmation.

What should I do when five words seem to belong together?

Assume one is a red herring. Look for the word with a strong second meaning, then test whether it forms a cleaner group elsewhere.

What does “Test a group” do?

Select four words and choose “Check these four” to see whether your grouping works. It stays on this page and never submits a guess to the official puzzle or affects a streak.

Do I need to solve the groups in difficulty order?

No. Start with the clearest exact set. Removing an obvious group often exposes the overlapping meanings and wordplay in the harder groups.

Can I check one answer without spoiling the whole puzzle?

Yes. Every group opens independently, so you can reveal one hint, category or set of four words while keeping the other groups hidden.

About the guide editor

Sofia Ramirez

Sofia verifies puzzle dates, public numbers, source facts and the archive details that keep daily guides reliable.

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