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Updated and verified for November 14, 2026 Spoiler-safePuzzle #1252

NYT Connections #1252 Hints Today (November 14, 2026)

Connections #1252 for November 14, 2026 combines a direct game category, institutional locations, cutting-edge terms and a first-letter transformation involving baby gear.

Guide editorEthan ParkEditor

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.

Today’s puzzle explained

How the November 14 board fits together

The board mixes semantic categories with one transformation category. Possible overlap should be resolved by checking that every proposed word satisfies the category exactly.

Overall difficultyA mixed board in which broad everyday words sit beside game names and letter-change wordplay.Biggest trapCENTER, COMPLEX, FACILITY, MODERN and GO can invite several preliminary pairings, so a four-word relationship should be tested literally before submission.Best first moveStart with CHESS, GO, OTHELLO and STRATEGO, since all four satisfy the exact category STRATEGY BOARD GAMES.

Why the board is deceptive

One group is recognized by treating four entries as names of strategy board games rather than reading every word as ordinary vocabulary.

The remaining sets depend on a broad location relationship, a cutting-edge sense and four precise first-letter substitutions.

Open the clean solving route

One way through the board

Remove CHESS, GO, OTHELLO and STRATEGO first. Next test CAMPUS, CENTER, COMPLEX and FACILITY as LOCATIONS FOR AN INSTITUTION. The cutting-edge set then leaves four entries whose first letters can be changed to produce baby gear.

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.

At the leading edgeReveal this group

What connects ADVANCED, FOREMOST, MODERN and PROGRESSIVE?

ADVANCED · FOREMOST · MODERN · PROGRESSIVE

CUTTING-EDGE. ADVANCED, FOREMOST, MODERN and PROGRESSIVE all fit the official relationship CUTTING-EDGE.

Best anchor: Look for four leading-edge descriptors.

Institutional placesReveal this group

What connects CAMPUS, CENTER, COMPLEX and FACILITY?

CAMPUS · CENTER · COMPLEX · FACILITY

LOCATIONS FOR AN INSTITUTION. CAMPUS, CENTER, COMPLEX and FACILITY are grouped under the exact category LOCATIONS FOR AN INSTITUTION.

Best anchor: Keep the relationship at the level of location.

Games on a boardReveal this group

What connects CHESS, GO, OTHELLO and STRATEGO?

CHESS · GO · OTHELLO · STRATEGO

STRATEGY BOARD GAMES. CHESS, GO, OTHELLO and STRATEGO are the four entries in the official STRATEGY BOARD GAMES category.

Best anchor: Read each word as the name of a game.

Alter the opening letterReveal this group

What connects BATTLE, MARRIAGE, MOTTLE and TRIB?

BATTLE · MARRIAGE · MOTTLE · TRIB

BABY GEAR WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED. Changing the first letter produces RATTLE from BATTLE, CARRIAGE from MARRIAGE, BOTTLE from MOTTLE and CRIB from TRIB.

Best anchor: Replace only the first character of each word.

Today’s 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 ADVANCED, FOREMOST, MODERN and PROGRESSIVE Fit TogetherExplain this connection Supporting clue guideHow the Four Institutional Locations Fit TogetherExplain this connection Supporting clue guideWhy CHESS, GO, OTHELLO and STRATEGO Are One GroupExplain this connection Supporting clue guideHow the Baby-Gear Letter Changes WorkExplain 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 today’s anchor words as a repeatable method: secure an exact group, remove it, and let the remaining board become more specific.

  1. 1
    CUTTING-EDGE

    Look for four leading-edge descriptors.

  2. 2
    LOCATIONS FOR AN INSTITUTION

    Keep the relationship at the level of location.

  3. 3
    STRATEGY BOARD GAMES

    Read each word as the name of a game.

  4. 4
    BABY GEAR WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED

    Replace only the first character of each word.

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 CHESS, GO, OTHELLO and STRATEGO, since all four satisfy the exact category STRATEGY BOARD GAMES..

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.

A direct descriptive relationship, though the words can appear in other contexts. groupAt the leading edge
CUTTING-EDGE: Look for four leading-edge descriptors.
The relationship is broad: each answer is a possible location for an institution. groupInstitutional places
LOCATIONS FOR AN INSTITUTION: Keep the relationship at the level of location.
Recognition depends on reading every entry as a game name, including the short word GO. groupGames on a board
STRATEGY BOARD GAMES: Read each word as the name of a game.
Each entry requires a precise first-letter replacement rather than a shared literal meaning. groupAlter the opening letter
BABY GEAR WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED: Replace only the first character of each word.

Language background

Useful guides for today’s wordplay

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

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

Ethan Park

Ethan turns word patterns and solving routes into concise, accessible guidance for daily players.

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