The New York Times' popular daily word puzzle, 'Connections,' presented its #942 challenge on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Players are tasked with categorizing sixteen seemingly disparate words into four groups of four, each sharing a unique common thread. This daily game, developed and published by The New York Times, has garnered significant global attention, similar to its predecessor, Wordle. Numerous online platforms and news outlets, including Rock Paper Shotgun, Try Hard Guides, Parade, and Mashable, have verified and published the hints and complete solutions for today's puzzle. The solutions for NYT Connections #942 are consistently reported across these sources. The four categories for January 8, 2026, are: 'BIT OF A RESPONSE TO STRONG EMOTIONS' (including words like Chill, Goosebump, Shiver, Tingle), 'BREAK THE RULES' (featuring Jaywalk, Litter, Loiter, Speed), 'FIRST-CLASS LEVERS' (with Clothespin, Crowbar, Scissors, Seesaw), and 'STARTING WITH CANDY BARS' (comprising Aeroplane, Dovetail, Heathers, Marsala). The game's design incorporates varying difficulty levels for each category, typically color-coded from yellow (easiest) to purple (hardest), adding to the strategic challenge for players. The widespread coverage and consistent reporting from multiple credible sources confirm the accuracy of the article's claims regarding the daily NYT Connections puzzle. The news falls under the 'Gaming' and 'Lifestyle' categories, reflecting its broad appeal to a global audience interested in daily brain teasers.