What were the NYT Connections answers for February 16, 2026 (#1039)?

NYT Connections #1039 (February 16, 2026) answers: 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 were the Connections categories on February 16, 2026?

The four categories were: KNEE-SLAPPER, HOMOPHONES, SOUNDS A CHICKEN MAKES, STRESS RESPONSES.

NYT Connections Answers: February 16, 2026

Puzzle #1039 — Editor: Wyna Liu

All 4 Groups

🟨 Yellow — Easiest

KNEE-SLAPPER

HOOT, LAUGH, RIOT, SCREAM

🟩 Green

HOMOPHONES

DO, DOE, DOH, DOUGH

🟦 Blue

SOUNDS A CHICKEN MAKES

BUCK, CACKLE, CLUCK, SQUAWK

🟪 Purple — Hardest

STRESS RESPONSES

FAWN, FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE

Word Grid

All 16 words from puzzle #1039:

HOOT

LAUGH

RIOT

SCREAM

DOE

DOH

DOUGH

BUCK

CACKLE

CLUCK

SQUAWK

FAWN

FIGHT

FLIGHT

FREEZE

← #1065 (February 17, 2026) Today’s Puzzle #1025 (February 15, 2026) →

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