Connections #981 Answers – February 16, 2026
Updated
Hints and answers for NYT Connections puzzle #981 on Monday, February 16, 2026. Reveal as much or as little as you need.
No spoilers until you tap Reveal.
Today's 16 words
BUCKCACKLECLUCKDODOEDOHDOUGHFAWNFIGHTFLIGHTFREEZEHOOTLAUGHRIOTSCREAMSQUAWK
Hint 1: one word from each group
Yellow (easiest)
HOOT belongs to this group.
Green
DO belongs to this group.
Blue
BUCK belongs to this group.
Purple (hardest)
FAWN belongs to this group.
Hint 2: the categories
Yellow (easiest) category
KNEE-SLAPPER
Green category
HOMOPHONES
Blue category
SOUNDS A CHICKEN MAKES
Purple (hardest) category
STRESS RESPONSES
Connections #981 answers
Show all four groups
KNEE-SLAPPERHOOT, LAUGH, RIOT, SCREAM
HOMOPHONESDO, DOE, DOH, DOUGH
SOUNDS A CHICKEN MAKESBUCK, CACKLE, CLUCK, SQUAWK
STRESS RESPONSESFAWN, FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE
Recent Connections answers
FAQ
What are the Connections answers for February 16, 2026?
KNEE-SLAPPER: HOOT, LAUGH, RIOT, SCREAM. HOMOPHONES: DO, DOE, DOH, DOUGH. SOUNDS A CHICKEN MAKES: BUCK, CACKLE, CLUCK, SQUAWK. STRESS RESPONSES: FAWN, FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE.
What do the Connections colors mean?
Yellow is the easiest group, then green, blue and purple, which is usually the trickiest.