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Verified archive for October 8, 2026 Spoiler-safePuzzle #1215

NYT Connections #1215 Hints & Answers (October 8, 2026)

Connections #1215 for October 8, 2026 combines two verb groups, a set linked by the number three and a word-ending pattern involving actors named Tom.

Guide editorJordan EllisEditor

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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.

October 8, 2026 puzzle explained

How the October 8 board fits together

The final category concerns endings: AUTOCRUISE ends in CRUISE, FOOLHARDY in HARDY, MULHOLLAND in HOLLAND and THANKS in HANKS. The category does not depend on the meanings of the complete words.

Overall difficultySeveral words have multiple grammatical roles, while the final wordplay group requires examining endings rather than whole-word meanings.Biggest trapBEST REGARDS may stand out as a familiar pairing, but BEST belongs with verbs meaning OUTDO, while REGARDS belongs with words that mean FOLLOWS, AS RULES. CHEERS and THANKS may also look conversational together, but they do not complete a four-word official group.Best first moveStart with HEEDS, MINDS, REGARDS and RESPECTS. Read each as a verb applied to rules, which keeps the relationship at the official level: each FOLLOWS, AS RULES.

Why the board is deceptive

The verb groups require attention to the sense each word takes in the category, especially for flexible entries such as BEST, TOP and REGARDS.

After the direct relationships are removed, count-based associations and visible word endings provide productive ways to examine the remaining entries.

Open the clean solving route

One way through the board

Resolve HEEDS, MINDS, REGARDS and RESPECTS through their shared relationship to rules. Next test BEST, ECLIPSE, SURPASS and TOP as ways to OUTDO. The remaining eight divide by things that come in threes and words ending in the surnames of actors named Tom.

Spoilers below

October 8, 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.

Rules-following verbsReveal this group

What connects HEEDS, MINDS, REGARDS and RESPECTS?

HEEDS · MINDS · REGARDS · RESPECTS

FOLLOWS, AS RULES. HEEDS, MINDS, REGARDS and RESPECTS each fits the official relationship FOLLOWS, AS RULES when read as a verb.

Best anchor: Apply every candidate directly to the phrase “the rules.”

Exceeding verbsReveal this group

What connects BEST, ECLIPSE, SURPASS and TOP?

BEST · ECLIPSE · SURPASS · TOP

OUTDO. BEST, ECLIPSE, SURPASS and TOP can each express the official category OUTDO in an appropriate sentence.

Best anchor: Look for verbs describing going beyond a rival or result.

Sets associated with threeReveal this group

What connects CHEERS, STOOGES, STRIKES and WISHES?

CHEERS · STOOGES · STRIKES · WISHES

THINGS THAT COME IN THREES. CHEERS, STOOGES, STRIKES and WISHES preserve the official relationship: they are THINGS THAT COME IN THREES.

Best anchor: Test the same small number before or around every word.

Hidden actor surnames at word endingsReveal this group

What connects AUTOCRUISE, FOOLHARDY, MULHOLLAND and THANKS?

AUTOCRUISE · FOOLHARDY · MULHOLLAND · THANKS

ENDING IN ACTORS NAMED TOM. AUTOCRUISE, FOOLHARDY, MULHOLLAND and THANKS end in CRUISE, HARDY, HOLLAND and HANKS, respectively—actors named Tom.

Best anchor: Ignore each full meaning and isolate the surname-shaped ending.

October 8, 2026 supporting guides

Why the trickiest words belong together

These focused articles go beyond the answer: they explain the exact relationship, the convincing red herrings and how to recognize the pattern again.

Supporting clue guideWhy HEEDS, MINDS, REGARDS and RESPECTS Go TogetherExplain this connection Supporting clue guideWhy BEST, ECLIPSE, SURPASS and TOP Go TogetherExplain this connection Supporting clue guideWhy CHEERS, STOOGES, STRIKES and WISHES Go TogetherExplain this connection Supporting clue guideWhy AUTOCRUISE, FOOLHARDY, MULHOLLAND and THANKS Go TogetherExplain this connection Supporting clue guideDefinitions for all 16 puzzle wordsExplain this connection

Browse every Connections clue explainer →

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
    FOLLOWS, AS RULES

    Apply every candidate directly to the phrase “the rules.”

  2. 2
    OUTDO

    Look for verbs describing going beyond a rival or result.

  3. 3
    THINGS THAT COME IN THREES

    Test the same small number before or around every word.

  4. 4
    ENDING IN ACTORS NAMED TOM

    Ignore each full meaning and isolate the surname-shaped ending.

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 HEEDS, MINDS, REGARDS and RESPECTS. Read each as a verb applied to rules, which keeps the relationship at the official level: each FOLLOWS, AS RULES..

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.

The relationship depends on reading all four words as verbs connected specifically with rules. groupRules-following verbs
FOLLOWS, AS RULES: Apply every candidate directly to the phrase “the rules.”
Short words with several possible roles must be read in the verb sense required by the category. groupExceeding verbs
OUTDO: Look for verbs describing going beyond a rival or result.
The words do not share one subject area; their link is the number associated with each complete expression. groupSets associated with three
THINGS THAT COME IN THREES: Test the same small number before or around every word.
Whole-word definitions are not the route; the relevant material appears at the end of each entry. groupHidden actor surnames at word endings
ENDING IN ACTORS NAMED TOM: Ignore each full meaning and isolate the surname-shaped ending.

Language background

Useful guides for this puzzle’s wordplay

These independent language explainers add definition, origin or usage context where it genuinely helps.

Questions players ask

Questions about this puzzle

What makes Connections #1215 tricky?

BEST REGARDS may stand out as a familiar pairing, but BEST belongs with verbs meaning OUTDO, while REGARDS belongs with words that mean FOLLOWS, AS RULES. CHEERS and THANKS may also look conversational together, but they do not complete a four-word official group.

Where should I start with the October 8, 2026 puzzle?

Start with HEEDS, MINDS, REGARDS and RESPECTS. Read each as a verb applied to rules, which keeps the relationship at the official level: each FOLLOWS, AS RULES.

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Jordan Ellis

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