NYT Connections hints and answers for today, June 17, 2026: Full clues and solutions for puzzle #1102

Another day brings another challenge in the New York Times' popular Connections puzzle. Puzzle #1102 for June 17, 2026, features a mix of mythology, attitude-related expressions and some tricky wordplay that could easily lead players astray. The objective is to sort 16 words into four groups of four connected by a common theme, with categories ranging from relatively straightforward to surprisingly difficult. If today's puzzle has you stumped, here are some spoiler-free hints followed by the complete answers.Before jumping to the answers, here are some clues for each category:Yellow group: AlcoveCAVITYNICHENOOKRECESSGreen group: Bodily words for attitudeCHEEKLIPMOUTHNERVEBlue group: Figures in Greek mythCALLIOPEECHOIRISNEMESISPurple group: Starting with synonyms for "ilk"CLASSICKINDLESORTIETYPEFACEToday's purple category was arguably the trickiest because it relied more on wordplay than straightforward definitions. The yellow and green groups were easier to identify, while the mythology category may have helped players familiar with Greek legends.Connections is one of the New York Times' most popular daily word games. Players are given 16 words and must arrange them into four groups of four that share a hidden connection. The categories increase in difficulty from yellow to purple, and players have four chances to make mistakes before the game ends.Much of the game's appeal comes from its ability to mislead players with words that seem to fit multiple categories, making pattern recognition and lateral thinking essential to solving each puzzle.