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Verified archive for October 21, 2026 Spoiler-safePuzzle #1228

NYT Connections #1228 Hints & Answers (October 21, 2026)

Connections puzzle #1228 for October 21, 2026 combines children's games, terms for an important person, famous paintings and names whose two parts are inaccurate descriptions.

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 21, 2026 puzzle explained

Connections #1228 board overview

Treat every multiword entry as an indivisible board item. The food-word overlap is a player-facing observation rather than a complete category, and no editorial intent is inferred from it.

Overall difficultySeveral entries can initially suggest food, while the final category requires examining both words in each two-word name.Biggest trapBIG CHEESE, TOP BANANA, HOT POTATO and SWEETBREAD all contain food words, but BIG CHEESE and TOP BANANA share IMPORTANT PERSON; HOT POTATO belongs with the games, and SWEETBREAD belongs with the double misnomers.Best first moveStart with the four painting titles: AMERICAN GOTHIC, CAMPBELL'S SOUP CAN, SUNFLOWERS and THE SCREAM.

Why the board is deceptive

The board includes complete titles and multiword expressions, so preserving each entry as a single unit is essential while testing possible categories.

A food-word overlap may attract attention, but the official solution separates those entries among the games, important-person terms and double misnomers.

Open the clean solving route

One way through the board

Remove the four FAMOUS PAINTINGS first, then collect the four CLASSIC CHILDREN'S GAMES. From the remaining entries, separate the four expressions for an IMPORTANT PERSON from the four DOUBLE MISNOMERS whose two words are both inaccurate descriptions.

Spoilers below

October 21, 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.

Playground and party standardsReveal this group

What connects DUCK DUCK GOOSE, HOT POTATO, LEAPFROG and MUSICAL CHAIRS?

DUCK DUCK GOOSE · HOT POTATO · LEAPFROG · MUSICAL CHAIRS

CLASSIC CHILDREN'S GAMES. DUCK DUCK GOOSE, HOT POTATO, LEAPFROG and MUSICAL CHAIRS are the four entries categorized as CLASSIC CHILDREN'S GAMES.

Best anchor: Four complete names of children's games

A person of importanceReveal this group

What connects ALPHA DOG, BIG CHEESE, HEAVYWEIGHT and TOP BANANA?

ALPHA DOG · BIG CHEESE · HEAVYWEIGHT · TOP BANANA

IMPORTANT PERSON. ALPHA DOG, BIG CHEESE, HEAVYWEIGHT and TOP BANANA are all grouped under the exact relationship IMPORTANT PERSON.

Best anchor: Four expressions denoting an important person

Recognized works on canvasReveal this group

What connects AMERICAN GOTHIC, CAMPBELL'S SOUP CAN, SUNFLOWERS and THE SCREAM?

AMERICAN GOTHIC · CAMPBELL'S SOUP CAN · SUNFLOWERS · THE SCREAM

FAMOUS PAINTINGS. AMERICAN GOTHIC, CAMPBELL'S SOUP CAN, SUNFLOWERS and THE SCREAM form the category FAMOUS PAINTINGS.

Best anchor: Four complete titles categorized as famous paintings

Two inaccurate words per nameReveal this group

What connects ENGLISH HORN, GRAPE-NUTS, MANTIS SHRIMP and SWEETBREAD?

ENGLISH HORN · GRAPE-NUTS · MANTIS SHRIMP · SWEETBREAD

DOUBLE MISNOMERS (NEITHER WORD IS AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION). ENGLISH HORN, GRAPE-NUTS, MANTIS SHRIMP and SWEETBREAD are DOUBLE MISNOMERS in which neither word is an accurate description.

Best anchor: Each two-word name contains two inaccurate descriptions

October 21, 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 guideClassic children’s games in Connections #1228 for October 21, 2026Explain this connection Supporting clue guideImportant-person expressions in Connections #1228 for October 21, 2026Explain this connection Supporting clue guideFamous paintings in Connections #1228 for October 21, 2026Explain this connection Supporting clue guideDouble misnomers in Connections #1228 for October 21, 2026Explain 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
    CLASSIC CHILDREN'S GAMES

    Four complete names of children's games

  2. 2
    IMPORTANT PERSON

    Four expressions denoting an important person

  3. 3
    FAMOUS PAINTINGS

    Four complete titles categorized as famous paintings

  4. 4
    DOUBLE MISNOMERS (NEITHER WORD IS AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION)

    Each two-word name contains two inaccurate descriptions

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 painting titles: AMERICAN GOTHIC, CAMPBELL'S SOUP CAN, SUNFLOWERS and THE SCREAM..

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.

Look for entries that are names of classic children's games, without narrowing the relationship to a particular style of play. groupPlayground and party standards
CLASSIC CHILDREN'S GAMES: Four complete names of children's games
The entries have different surface imagery, but all retain the broad relationship of denoting an important person. groupA person of importance
IMPORTANT PERSON: Four expressions denoting an important person
Identify all four complete painting titles and avoid splitting their individual words into unrelated themes. groupRecognized works on canvas
FAMOUS PAINTINGS: Four complete titles categorized as famous paintings
Apply the category literally: each answer is a double misnomer because neither word accurately describes its referent. groupTwo inaccurate words per name
DOUBLE MISNOMERS (NEITHER WORD IS AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION): Each two-word name contains two inaccurate descriptions

Questions players ask

Questions about this puzzle

What makes Connections #1228 tricky?

BIG CHEESE, TOP BANANA, HOT POTATO and SWEETBREAD all contain food words, but BIG CHEESE and TOP BANANA share IMPORTANT PERSON; HOT POTATO belongs with the games, and SWEETBREAD belongs with the double misnomers.

Where should I start with the October 21, 2026 puzzle?

Start with the four painting titles: AMERICAN GOTHIC, CAMPBELL'S SOUP CAN, SUNFLOWERS and THE SCREAM.

About the guide editor

Jordan Ellis

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