NYT Connections Answer Today (#1252) – 14 Nov 2026 Solution & Hints

Looking for today’s NYT Connections answer? This guide covers Connections #1252 for November 14, 2026: the 16 words, definitions, non-spoiler hints, and a click-to-reveal full solution.

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About Today’s Connections
The 16 Words
Definitions of the 16 Words
General Hints
Category Titles
One Word per Category
Complete Solution (Click to Reveal)

About Today’s Connections

Puzzle #1252 (published November 14, 2026). Sort 16 words into four groups of four, based on a hidden connection. Some words look like they belong together and don’t — that’s by design.

The 16 Words

Here are the 16 words, sorted alphabetically to avoid spoilers:

ADVANCED
BATTLE
CAMPUS
CENTER
CHESS
COMPLEX
FACILITY
FOREMOST
GO
MARRIAGE
MODERN
MOTTLE
OTHELLO
PROGRESSIVE
STRATEGO
TRIB

Definitions of the 16 Words

ADVANCED	Having developed further than most, especially in skill, technology, or progress.
BATTLE	A sustained fight or conflict between opposing forces.
CAMPUS	The grounds and buildings of a university, college, or corporate site.
CENTER	A place where a particular activity is concentrated or where people gather for a shared purpose.
CHESS	A two-player strategy game played on a checkered board with pieces that each move in distinct ways.
COMPLEX	A group of buildings or facilities used together for a related purpose.
FACILITY	A building or space built to serve a particular function.
FOREMOST	Most important or furthest ahead; first in rank or position.
GO	An ancient board game of territorial strategy played with black and white stones on a grid.
MARRIAGE	The legally or socially recognized union of two people.
MODERN	Relating to the present era, especially in contrast with the past.
MOTTLE	To mark something with blotches or streaks of a different shade.
OTHELLO	A strategy board game, also known as Reversi, where players flip discs to claim territory.
PROGRESSIVE	Moving forward in stages, or developing gradually toward something more advanced.
STRATEGO	A strategy board game of hidden military ranks where players try to capture the opponent’s flag.
TRIB	Informal shorthand for a tribute: a creative homage paid to someone or something admired.

General Hints

Yellow: These all describe something sitting at the leading tip of development or rank.
Green: Picture the physical spots where a group or organization actually does its work.
Blue: Each of these names a classic two-player game built on territory and tactics.
Purple: Swap the opening letter of each word and you land on something you’d find in a nursery.

Category Titles

🟨 Yellow: Cutting-edge
🟩 Green: Locations for an institution
🟦 Blue: Strategy board games
🟪 Purple: Baby gear with first letter changed

One Word per Category

🟨 Yellow: MODERN
🟩 Green: CAMPUS
🟦 Blue: CHESS
🟪 Purple: TRIB

Complete Solution

The full breakdown is below — tap to reveal all four groups:

[CLICK TO REVEAL: Full Solution]

NYT Connections #1252 — Full Groups

🟨 Yellow: Cutting-edge → ADVANCED, FOREMOST, MODERN, PROGRESSIVE
🟩 Green: Locations for an institution → CAMPUS, CENTER, COMPLEX, FACILITY
🟦 Blue: Strategy board games → CHESS, GO, OTHELLO, STRATEGO
🟪 Purple: Baby gear with first letter changed → BATTLE, MARRIAGE, MOTTLE, TRIB

The purple group is the real trap here — each entry reads like an ordinary word until you realize it’s a nursery item wearing a disguise on its first letter.

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