Play Connections #1218
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 #1218 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
-
Yellow group hintGentle hint
Think of verbs for bringing a tool or resource into practical action.
Was this hint -
Green group hintGentle hint
These are services that show up as recurring charges to pay every month.
Was this hint -
Blue group hintHelpful hint
Picture what is stored in the front dashboard storage spot of a car.
Was this hint -
Purple group hintHelpful hint
Look at the last few letters of each word; they spell out clever schemes.
Was this hint -
Where's the trap?Strong hint
EMPLOY looks like it belongs with the verbs about putting something to practical work, but its ending is what matters.
Was this hint -
The four group namesStrong hint
- PUT TO USE
- MONTHLY BILLS
- THINGS YOU MIGHT FIND IN A GLOVE COMPARTMENT
- ENDING IN GAMBITS
Was this hint
Difficulty: Hard. Three groups are straightforward, but the last one depends on spotting hidden word endings in unrelated-looking words, including a first name and a grammar term.
Connections #1218 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are all four groups for October 11, 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
APPLY is in the yellow group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is PUT TO USE.
Show all four words
APPLY, HARNESS, UTILIZE, WIELD
Show one word
CABLE is in the green group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is MONTHLY BILLS.
Show all four words
CABLE, ELECTRICITY, INTERNET, PHONE
Show one word
GLOVES is in the blue group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is THINGS YOU MIGHT FIND IN A GLOVE COMPARTMENT.
Show all four words
GLOVES, ICE SCRAPER, MAP, REGISTRATION
Show one word
EMPLOY is in the purple group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is ENDING IN GAMBITS.
Show all four words
EMPLOY, PATRICK, PERUSE, SYNTACTIC
All four groups at once
Show all four groups
- APPLY: To apply a method or tool is to put it to work.
- HARNESS: To harness power or a resource is to put it to work.
- UTILIZE: A direct synonym meaning to make practical use of something.
- WIELD: To wield a tool or power is to handle and use it.
- CABLE: A TV service billed monthly.
- ELECTRICITY: A utility bill that arrives every month.
- INTERNET: Home connectivity billed monthly.
- PHONE: A monthly service bill for calls and data.
- GLOVES: Often tossed in the compartment for cold days.
- ICE SCRAPER: Kept in the car for frosty windshields.
- MAP: A classic item stored in the car for directions.
- REGISTRATION: Legal paperwork typically kept in the car.
Purple group explained
- EMPLOY: Ends in PLOY, a clever maneuver.
- PATRICK: Ends in TRICK, a deceptive move.
- PERUSE: Ends in RUSE, a cunning deception.
- SYNTACTIC: Ends in TACTIC, a planned maneuver.
Recent Connections puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Purple group |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 10 | #1217 | ___BOXING |
| Oct 9 | #1216 | AIR ___ |
| Oct 8 | #1215 | ENDING IN ACTORS NAMED TOM |
| 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 ___ |
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 11
Connections #1218 questions
What were the Connections answers on October 11, 2026?
PUT TO USE: APPLY, HARNESS, UTILIZE, WIELD. MONTHLY BILLS: CABLE, ELECTRICITY, INTERNET, PHONE. THINGS YOU MIGHT FIND IN A GLOVE COMPARTMENT: GLOVES, ICE SCRAPER, MAP, REGISTRATION. ENDING IN GAMBITS: EMPLOY, PATRICK, PERUSE, SYNTACTIC.
What was the purple group in Connections #1218?
ENDING IN GAMBITS: EMPLOY, PATRICK, PERUSE, SYNTACTIC.
What made Connections #1218 tricky?
EMPLOY looks like it belongs with the verbs about putting something to practical work, but its ending is what matters.