Connections Hints: Mar 17, 2026

This page shows spoiler-layered hints for the NYT Connections puzzle published on Mar 17, 2026 (2026-03-17). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full group breakdown when you're ready.

Meta: Puzzle #1094

Puzzle #1094 · 2026-03-17

Step through today’s Connections hints

Start with broad themes, then reveal more detail about the groups and tiles only when you need it. The final button shows today's full group breakdown.

Puzzle reference: Connections #1094 for 2026-03-17, edition main, with a standard four-group board. Spoiler categories and tiles stay collapsed until you open the hint layers below.

Hint 1 – overall theme

There are 4 groups in today’s puzzle.

Themes include: METAPHORS FOR TROUBLE, MUSIC THEORY CONCEPTS, THINGS WITH STRINGS and 1 more.

Hint 2 – group titles

Here are the category names for each group. Try matching the tiles in the official game to these themes before you reveal any tiles.

METAPHORS FOR TROUBLE
MUSIC THEORY CONCEPTS
THINGS WITH STRINGS
METAPHORS FOR QUICKNESS

Hint 3 – group tiles

Reveal the tiles for each group. If you only want a partial nudge, stop after reading one or two groups and go back to the official puzzle.

METAPHORS FOR TROUBLE

BIND

HOT WATER

JAM

PICKLE

MUSIC THEORY CONCEPTS

KEY

PITCH

SCALE

TONE

THINGS WITH STRINGS

BALLOON

KITE

TEA BAG

YO-YO

METAPHORS FOR QUICKNESS

ARROW

LIGHTNING

ROCKET

WIND

Reveal full answer

This is the full breakdown of today's Connections puzzle: group titles and all tiles, grouped together.