Tim Mulkerin, a freelance writer, editor, and social media manager based in Brooklyn, New York, is currently pursuing a master’s degree in communicative sciences and disorders at New York University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in art history and has been active in digital media and the tech industry since 2016.
For those participating in the New York Times Connections game for February 7, 2026, this article serves as a guide to help players navigate the challenges of puzzle #972. Players can expect a mix of clues, hints, and strategies to successfully complete the game.
In today’s puzzle, there are four distinct categories, each with its own theme. The yellow group features “PIPS ON A DIE,” while the green group showcases “SYMBOLS USED IN ARITHMETIC.” The blue category focuses on “PUNCTUATION MARKS,” and lastly, the purple group represents “LOWERCASE LETTERS.” For those who wish to avoid spoilers, a warning precedes the answers, but an overview of the categories is provided without revealing sensitive information.
To succeed in Connections, it’s essential to use the process of elimination while also being aware that many terms may overlap in their meanings. Some of the word associations might be tricky, potentially leading to confusion during gameplay.
The answers can help players solidify their understanding of the puzzle’s themes. For example, the yellow category includes the numbers related to dice faces: FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO; the green group covers mathematical symbols: DIVIDED BY, EQUALS, MINUS, PLUS; the blue category presents punctuation marks: COLON, ELLIPSIS, PERIOD, QUOTATION MARK; and the purple group contains lowercase letters: I, L, T, X.
Players who engage with today’s puzzle are encouraged to keep an eye on the specific grouping of words and remember that Connections is designed to challenge their reasoning and pattern recognition skills. Good luck to all contenders, and check back for updates on future puzzles.