Connections Hints and Answers for Saturday, November 14, 2026 (#1252)
Stuck on NYT Connections #1252 for Saturday, November 14, 2026? Below are spoiler-free hints and clues for all four color groups, the red herrings to avoid, the four category names, and the full answers, each hidden until you open it.
A mix of business terminology and recreational activities, with a tricky wordplay twist at the end.
| Puzzle | NYT Connections #1252 |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, November 14, 2026 |
| Editor | Wyna Liu |
| Difficulty | 3 out of 5 |
| Next puzzle | #1253 unlocks at midnight your local time (Sunday, November 15, 2026) |
Connections #1252 hints and clues
Each color group has three clues. Open one at a time: each gives away a little more than the last, and none of them shows the category name.
Yellow group hints
Hint 1: a gentle nudge
Focus on words that mean something is at the forefront of its field.
Hint 2: a stronger push
They all mean something is up-to-date or highly developed in its field.
Hint 3: reveal one word
One word in this group is ADVANCED, which indicates being ahead of others.
Green group hints
Hint 1: a gentle nudge
Think about the various names for the physical sites of a large organization.
Hint 2: a stronger push
These terms describe the physical grounds or buildings where a university or company is based.
Hint 3: reveal one word
The word CAMPUS refers to the grounds of a school or business.
Blue group hints
Hint 1: a gentle nudge
These are all competitive tabletop pastimes.
Hint 2: a stronger push
Each entry is a specific brand or traditional name for a mental contest played on a grid.
Hint 3: reveal one word
One entry in this group is CHESS, a classic match played with kings and queens.
Purple group hints
Hint 1: a gentle nudge
Look at the start of these words and think of items for an infant.
Hint 2: a stronger push
Replace the initial character with a different one to find items used for infants.
Hint 3: reveal one word
Swapping the initial character of TRIB turns it into a small bed for an infant.
Connections #1252 red herrings
Words that look like they belong together but don’t. Seeing them can save you a mistake.
Show the traps
- CHESS, CENTER: While both start with the same character and can relate to positions, they belong to separate groups.
- COMPLEX, ADVANCED: These words both describe something sophisticated or intricate, yet they do not share a category.
- GO, PROGRESSIVE: Both words imply forward movement or action but are part of different themes.
Connections #1252 categories
Knowing the theme is often enough to finish. These are the four category names, without the words.
Show the four categories
- Yellow: CUTTING-EDGE
- Green: LOCATIONS FOR AN INSTITUTION
- Blue: STRATEGY BOARD GAMES
- Purple: BABY GEAR WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED
Connections #1252 answers
All 16 words sorted into their groups, with why each one fits. Spoilers inside.
Reveal all four answers
Yellow: CUTTING-EDGE
ADVANCED, FOREMOST, MODERN, PROGRESSIVE
These synonyms describe things that are pioneering or highly developed.
- ADVANCED — highly developed
- FOREMOST — leading
- MODERN — current
- PROGRESSIVE — forward-thinking
Green: LOCATIONS FOR AN INSTITUTION
CAMPUS, CENTER, COMPLEX, FACILITY
These are words for the physical sites or buildings used by a large organization.
- CAMPUS — grounds of a school
- CENTER — a hub of activity
- COMPLEX — a group of buildings
- FACILITY — a building or place for a specific purpose
Blue: STRATEGY BOARD GAMES
CHESS, GO, OTHELLO, STRATEGO
These are names of popular tabletop challenges that require tactical planning.
- CHESS — classic 64-square match
- GO — ancient territorial contest
- OTHELLO — reversi
- STRATEGO — capture the flag style
Purple: BABY GEAR WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED
BATTLE, MARRIAGE, MOTTLE, TRIB
Each word becomes a common nursery item when you swap the starting character.
- BATTLE — Changing the B to R makes Rattle.
- MARRIAGE — Changing the M to C makes Carriage.
- MOTTLE — Changing the M to B makes Bottle.
- TRIB — Changing the T to C makes Crib.