Play Connections #1215
These are the 16 words in the order NYT shows them. Tap four words you think belong together and press Submit. You get four mistakes, and we'll tell you when you are one word away. Nothing is saved, so you can practise without touching your real streak.
Connections #1215 hints
Yellow is usually the easiest group and purple the trickiest. Start with one colour and see if the rest falls into place.
Hints used: 0
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Yellow group hintGentle hint
These all describe paying attention to authority and doing what you're told.
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Green group hintGentle hint
Each of these means coming out ahead of the competition.
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Blue group hintHelpful hint
Each of these traditionally comes as a set of the same small number.
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Purple group hintHelpful hint
Look at the tail end of each oddly long word for a surname from the movies.
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Where's the trap?Strong hint
Several words here can close a letter or email, such as a warm sign-off, which tempts you to group them together even though they belong to different sets.
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The four group namesStrong hint
- FOLLOWS, AS RULES
- OUTDO
- THINGS THAT COME IN THREES
- ENDING IN ACTORS NAMED TOM
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Difficulty: Medium. The first two sets are straightforward synonym groups, but the hidden-name set uses unusual long words and a few overlapping sign-off style terms can lead you astray.
Connections #1215 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are all four groups for October 8, 2026, with why each word fits.
Reveal one group at a time
Each colour opens in three steps: one word from the group, then the group name, then all four words. Stop as soon as you can finish it yourself.
Show one word
HEEDS is in the yellow group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is FOLLOWS, AS RULES.
Show all four words
HEEDS, MINDS, REGARDS, RESPECTS
Show one word
BEST is in the green group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is OUTDO.
Show all four words
BEST, ECLIPSE, SURPASS, TOP
Show one word
CHEERS is in the blue group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is THINGS THAT COME IN THREES.
Show all four words
CHEERS, STOOGES, STRIKES, WISHES
Show one word
AUTOCRUISE is in the purple group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is ENDING IN ACTORS NAMED TOM.
Show all four words
AUTOCRUISE, FOOLHARDY, MULHOLLAND, THANKS
All four groups at once
Show all four groups
- HEEDS: To heed a rule is to obey it.
- MINDS: Minding the rules means obeying them.
- REGARDS: To regard a rule is to give it attention and follow it.
- RESPECTS: Respecting a rule means honoring and following it.
- BEST: To best someone is to beat them.
- ECLIPSE: To eclipse is to overshadow and outshine.
- SURPASS: To surpass is to go beyond or exceed.
- TOP: To top something is to do better than it.
- CHEERS: Three cheers is the classic hurrah.
- STOOGES: The Three Stooges were a comedy trio.
- STRIKES: Three strikes and you're out.
- WISHES: A genie traditionally grants three wishes.
Purple group explained
- AUTOCRUISE: Ends in CRUISE, as in Tom Cruise.
- FOOLHARDY: Ends in HARDY, as in Tom Hardy.
- MULHOLLAND: Ends in HOLLAND, as in Tom Holland.
- THANKS: Ends in HANKS, as in Tom Hanks.
Recent Connections puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Purple group |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 7 | #1214 | BEST ___ TONY AWARDS |
| Oct 6 | #1213 | ENDING IN TALENTS |
| Oct 5 | #1212 | ENDING IN WAYS TO TEMPORARILY ACQUIRE |
| Oct 4 | #1211 | SILENT ___ |
| Oct 3 | #1210 | ENDING IN FANTASY CREATURES |
| Oct 2 | #1209 | PRIME ___ |
| Oct 1 | #1208 | STARTS OF NYT PRINT PUZZLES |
About Connections
Connections is a daily New York Times puzzle where you sort 16 words into four groups of four. Groups are colour-coded from yellow, the most direct, to purple, which usually relies on wordplay. You can make four mistakes. Looking back at past puzzles is one of the best ways to learn the kinds of tricks the editors like to use.
Other puzzles on Oct 8
Connections #1215 questions
What were the Connections answers on October 8, 2026?
FOLLOWS, AS RULES: HEEDS, MINDS, REGARDS, RESPECTS. OUTDO: BEST, ECLIPSE, SURPASS, TOP. THINGS THAT COME IN THREES: CHEERS, STOOGES, STRIKES, WISHES. ENDING IN ACTORS NAMED TOM: AUTOCRUISE, FOOLHARDY, MULHOLLAND, THANKS.
What was the purple group in Connections #1215?
ENDING IN ACTORS NAMED TOM: AUTOCRUISE, FOOLHARDY, MULHOLLAND, THANKS.
What made Connections #1215 tricky?
Several words here can close a letter or email, such as a warm sign-off, which tempts you to group them together even though they belong to different sets.