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Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love tropical fruits.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 18, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: The daily rind

The words are related to fruit.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe tangy fruits.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is diagonal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Citrus.

NYT Strands word list for May 18

• Clementine

• Lime

• Kumquat

• Pomelo

• Citrus

• Orange

• Tangerine

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a baseball fan.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 18, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Same sound

• Green: To break

• Blue: Baseballer

• Purple: Sweet plants

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Homophones

• Green: Rupture

• Blue: MLB player

• Purple: Fruit anagrams

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1072 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Homophones: PAIR, PARE, PEAR, PÉRE

• Rupture: BLOW, CRACK, POP, SPLIT

• MLB player: PADRE, RED, ROYAL, TWIN

• Fruit anagrams: CHEAP, EARP, LUMP, WIKI

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 18, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're always hesitant.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 18, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 18, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Reluctant.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter L.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

LOATH

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

TL;DR: Get a lifetime subscription to Qlango Language Learning for $49 (reg. $239) — an 80% discount on a gamified app that helps you retain vocabulary using spaced repetition.

Opens in a new window Credit: Qlango Qlango Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $49
$239 Save $190   Get Deal

Learning a new language usually means getting sucked into a subscription plan, feeling the pressure to keep up streaks, and using apps that never really click. This deal eliminates the unnecessary, so you’ll pay once, and you’re set for life.

The Qlango Language Learning lifetime subscription is on sale for just $49 (reg. $239), so you can learn as many languages as your brain can handle with no rush to finish before a certain deadline.

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Qlango uses spaced repetition — a proven learning method that brings back words at just the right intervals so you’re more likely to remember them for good, not just cram and forget.

The format is simple but super effective: you answer prompts directly in your target language, which actually helps your brain start thinking in that language faster. And if you ever get stuck, there’s a handy hint system so you’re never left guessing.

With a 4.8/5 rating on the App Store and over a million downloads on Google Play, there’s solid proof that people love it and that the app actually works.

This subscription unlocks 71 languages, from widely spoken ones like Spanish and French to less common options like Icelandic.

You’ll work through 6,679 essential words per language, two real-world example sentences per word, and six difficulty levels that adapt to your pace.

You can also switch up your learning modes, such as translation, dictation, and sentence building, depending on what works best for you.

If you’ve been wanting to learn a language but don’t want another monthly bill, this is the kind of deal that makes it easy to finally start. It’s perfect for casual learners, travelers, or anyone brushing up on basics without committing to a strict routine.

Get the Qlango Language Learning lifetime subscription today for just $49 (reg. $239).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: ChatOn Premium combines access to paid versions of GPT, Claude, Gemini, and other AI models into one app for $55.24 through May 31 with code CHAT35.

Opens in a new window Credit: AIBY ChatOn AI Assistant Premium Plan (3-Year Subscription) $55.24
$119.99 Save $64.75   Get Deal

Trying AI tools in 2026 can start to feel less like productivity and more like accidentally signing up for subscriptions. One app for writing, and another for image generation. Yet another for PDFs. Suddenly, your monthly AI budget starts looking suspiciously like a car payment.

That’s what makes ChatOn an interesting alternative. Instead of locking you into one model, ChatOn gives access to multiple major AI systems in a single workspace — including the paid versions of GPT, Claude, Gemini, Sonar, and more.

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New users can currently get a three-year ChatOn AI Assistant Premium subscription for a one-time $55.24 (reg. $119.99) through May 31 with code CHAT35.

That matters because different AI models are better at different things. Some are stronger for writing, some for reasoning, some for coding, and some for research. ChatOn lets users switch between them without bouncing across multiple subscriptions and browser tabs.

The platform also goes beyond simple chatbot responses. It includes AI image generation, video creation tools, OCR text extraction, document summarization, PDF support, translation tools, voice input, and real-time web search with linked sources.

There’s even a built-in library of more than 100 prompts for common tasks, which makes the app especially useful for people who use AI regularly but don’t necessarily want to become part-time prompt engineers.

And while lifetime deals tend to grab attention, a fixed three-year subscription from an established app with more than 100 million downloads can honestly feel like the more grounded long-term bet.

For people who rely on AI for work, school, creativity, planning, or day-to-day productivity, ChatOn is a genuinely useful consolidation tool.

Get a three-year ChatOn AI Assistant Premium subscription for a one-time $55.24 (reg. $119.99) through May 31 with code CHAT35.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: T-Mobile has dropped new deals on the latest iPhones. Score the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and more for free right now at T-Mobile.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 Free when you switch and trade in an eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 Pro Free when you trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan. Shop Now

Leading mobile carriers are battling it out to offer you the most competitive mobile deals. The likes of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are constantly dropping new deals in an effort to pursuade you into switching, and that includes offers on the latest iPhones.

In fact, T-Mobile has just dropped a new batch of live iPhone deals that are particularly tempting:

• Apple iPhone 17e — free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on most plans.

• Apple iPhone 17 — free when you switch and trade in an eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.

• Apple iPhone 17 Pro — free when you trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan.

The value of these iPhones is applied as 24 monthly credits to your bill, so you're still paying for the phone but you're getting paid back in full over time. We should note that you do need to pay taxes and a $35 device connection fee with these offers, but that's always the case with this type of limited-time mobile deal. It's a small price to pay for a new iPhone.

The latest iPhone lineup is seriously impressive, with something for everyone.

In Mashable's review of the iPhone 17, Stan Schroeder said it's an "excellent phone that matches the iPhone Pro models in many ways that matter." When Schroeder took a close look at the iPhone 17e, he said: "The iPhone 17e is a decent upgrade over its predecessor, and a good choice if you want the cheapest new iPhone you can get." That's good enough for us.

Upgrade to the iPhone 17 lineup for free with T-Mobile.

TL;DR: Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection up for preorder at $64.99, down from its $69.99 list price. That’s $5 off and under TCGplayer’s $66.69 market price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection $64.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $5   Pre-order Here

The Pokémon TCG’s Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection is almost here, and Amazon is already undercutting the wider market with one of the better preorder prices available right now.

As of May 18, Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection listed for preorder at $64.99, knocked down from its $69.99 list price. This deal saves you an extra $5 before the box officially releases on May 22. Better yet, the listing is sold and shipped by Amazon directly, with the preorder price guarantee attached.

That's right under TCGplayer’s $66.69 market price. The dedicated trading card selling platform has a lowest listing price of $65.48 with shipping included. Walmart is technically the cheapest, with the same box listed for $64.95 with free shipping, but that listing is sold and shipped by third-party seller Rez Broz Collectibles.

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The Pokémon TCG Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection includes:

• 1 foil promo card featuring Mega Zygarde ex

• 1 oversize lenticular promo card featuring Mega Zygarde ex

• 1 tech sticker featuring Mega Zygarde ex

• 8 Pokémon TCG booster packs (five from Perfect Order, two Phantasmal Flames, and one Journey Together)

This collection centers on Mega Zygarde ex as the Legendary Pokémon becomes a Mega Evolution Pokémon ex — featured in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, with a ready-to-play foil promo and extra display pieces packed alongside a stack of booster packs from different Pokémon TCG expansions.

At $64.99, that works out to about $8.12 per booster pack before factoring in the promo card, lenticular card, or sticker.

If you’re trying to grab even more boosters at a reasonable price, you can still buy the Pokémon TCG’s Perfect Order Booster Bundle (six packs) for around $50. For the next expansion, preorders for Chaos Rising ETBs are now on sale at Amazon.

Although currently not available on Amazon, the Pokémon TCG’s newly announced Pitch Black expansion is available to pre-order at TCGplayer.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

TL;DR: Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The world will stop this summer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

16 cities across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada will welcome the best international sides from around the world as they compete for arguably the biggest prize in sport. Huge names like Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Lamine Yamal are likely to steal the spotlight, but new stars always shine brightly in this prestigious competition.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the FIFA World Cup?

The World Cup is an international football competition between senior men's national teams. The 2026 World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams, split into 12 groups of four teams. The top two teams in each group and the eight best third-placed teams progress to the knockouts rounds. That's when things get really interesting.

The defending champions are Argentina. They won their third title at the 2022 World Cup after defeating France in the final.

When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup is the 23rd edition of this famous competition. This year's tournament takes place from June 11 to July 19.

How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free

A number of free streaming platforms are offering coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

• Australia — SBS

• Austria — ORF and ServusTV

• Belgium — RTBF and VRT

• France — M6

• Germany — ARD and ZDF

• Ireland — RTÉ

• Italy — RAI

• Norway — NRK

• Netherlands — NOS

• Spain — RTVE

• UK — BBC iPlayer and ITVX (recommended)

These streaming services are geo-restricted, but anyone can access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer or ITVX (recommended)

5. Watch 2026 FIFA World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this tournament before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the FIFA World Cup?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for accessing live sport on free streaming platforms, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, May 18, 2026:

AcrossQuestionable

• The answer is Iffy.

Country that's about 25 times longer than it is wide

• The answer is Chile.

iPhone setting that reduces distractions

• The answer is Focus.

Magnum ___ (masterpiece)

• The answer is Opus.

Get-together, slangily

• The answer is Sesh.

Down"Fingers crossed!"

• The answer is I hope.

Indoor plant whose name is one vowel off from 6-Across

• The answer is Ficus.

A❤️ 9❤️ 6❤️ 4❤️ 2❤️, e.g.

• The answer is Flush.

What "aye" means

• The answer is Yes.

Corp. money managers

• The answer is CFOs.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Mini Crossword.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 18, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for May 18, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for May 18 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed vertically.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically; 5-5, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for May 18 Pips

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed vertically; 3-4, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for May 18 Pips

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically; 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (11): Everything in this space must be greater than 11. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically; 3-3, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally.

Number (14): Everything in this space must add up to 14. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 0-1, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will require some sports and pop culture knowledge.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes before the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Cold streak

• Green: Run the ball

• Blue: Oregon teams

• Purple: Reads like a baseball team

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Slide

• Green: Football Running Plays

• Blue: An Oregon Athlete

• Purple: MLB Teams, Minus the Last Two Letters

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #602 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Slide: DECLINE, DIP, DOWNTURN, SLUMP

• Football Running Plays: COUNTER, DIVE, DRAW, SWEEP

• An Oregon Athlete: DUCK, THORN, TIMBER, TRAIL BLAZER

• MLB Teams, Minus the Last Two Letters: ANGE, DODGE, MARINE, RANGE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

When teams struggle to perform, the instinct is often to add more tools, more dashboards, or more oversight. But performance problems are frequently coordination problems. Your biggest gains may come from redesigning how people work together—not the technology they use. Focus on the following.  Prioritize team familiarity. Teams that have worked together before communicate faster, anticipate problems earlier, and stay calmer under pressure. For […]

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If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Dull.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

VAPID

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To con.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 18, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

TRICK

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Hurdle Word 3 hint

To force entry.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 18, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

BARGE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A rental agreement.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

LEASE

Final Hurdle hint

A large venue.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

ARENA

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

There's a small sliver of the Moon in the sky tonight, but is it enough to spot any surface features?

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Monday, May 18, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. Tonight, 3% of the moon will be be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

Unfortunately, there is still too little of the Moon's surface lit up to be able to see anything on its surface.

When is the next Full Moon?

There are two Full Moons in May, with the next due to take place on May 31.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes about 29.5 days to complete a full orbit around Earth, moving through eight distinct phases along the way. Although we always see the same side of the Moon, the changing angle of sunlight as it orbits creates the familiar full, half, and crescent shapes. In total, the lunar cycle is made up of eight main phases:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

When you switch to streaming, you expect instant, perfect 4K video. You're paying for a top-tier, multi-gigabit fiber connection, so it's frustrating when your Amazon Fire TV Stick still freezes during a key movie scene. Buffering like this is one of the most annoying parts of home entertainment, but you can stop it. The problem is rarely the speed of the internet coming into your house. Instead, it's the data's physical struggle to reach your device, so it is great that it has a hidden port for you.

TL;DR: This Babbel lifetime promotion gives you access to 14 languages, offline lessons, AI conversation tools, and 10,000+ hours of language education for a one-time $159 payment with the StackSocial code LEARN.

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $159
$646.20 Save $487.20   Get Deal

Most language-learning apps are really good at helping people feel productive for about six days before the notifications start getting ignored. Babbel feels different because the lessons were actually designed by professional linguists and educators with real-world conversations in mind.

On the flip side, Babbel takes a different approach. New U.S. users can get a Babbel Language Learning Lifetime Subscription for $159 (reg. $646.20) with StackSocial’s code LEARN, giving you permanent access to all 14 languages on the platform.

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And honestly, the biggest reason people stick with Babbel is that it feels built for real humans with jobs, schedules, and functioning attention spans. Lessons are short — usually around 10 to 15 minutes — and focus heavily on practical conversations. Topics include travel, dining, work, shopping, introductions, and everyday communication that actually matters.

Babbel was also developed with input from more than 100 linguists and language educators, and the teaching approach leans heavily into conversation and retention rather than gamified gratification.

You can learn on your phone, tablet, desktop, or laptop, and your progress syncs automatically across devices. There’s also offline access, which makes it easy to keep practicing during flights, commutes, or anywhere Wi-Fi becomes questionable.

The lifetime access angle is really what makes this deal stand out, though. Instead of paying another monthly subscription indefinitely, this is a one-time purchase that gives you ongoing access to all 14 languages for as long as you want to keep learning.

For people who travel often, work internationally, love learning new skills, or simply want to stop saying “I should really learn Spanish someday,” Babbel feels like one of those purchases that you will be happy you made well into the future.

Get lifetime access to Babbel Language Learning for a one-time $159 (MSRP $546.20) with the StackSocial code LEARN for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Are you staring at a sea of empty cells and don't know where to begin? Excel feels far less intimidating when you treat it as a toolbox instead of a test. These beginner-friendly projects help you create practical trackers and planners in under an hour while learning core skills.

The newest version of Mazda’s compact SUV may be more modern and more practical than ever before, but not every change has been for the better. As automakers continue moving toward bigger screens, softer driving dynamics, and broader mainstream appeal, some of the sharpness and character that once made certain crossovers stand out is starting to disappear. That is exactly why some buyers may be better off shopping slightly used instead of buying brand new.

You probably already use Claude for the occasional question or writing your emails, but that’s barely scratching the surface of what it can do. There’s a big difference between using Claude as a chatbot and using it as an automation tool that quietly handles the parts of your digital life you’ve been avoiding for years. If you’ve been curious about what agentic AI actually looks like in everyday life, here are five boring tasks I automated with Claude.

Elon Musk's space exploration company, SpaceX, could be going public sooner than many expected.

According to a new report from Reuters, SpaceX is "accelerating" its IPO launch in hopes of going public next month. SpaceX is aiming to make the official announcement this week to promote the IPO launch to potential investors in June. 

SEE ALSO: The Musk vs Altman trial: What happens next

Musk's space company is eyeing a June 12 listing date, with an early share sale the day before. SpaceX would be listed under the SPCX ticker on Nasdaq.

According to previous reports, SpaceX is seeking a valuation of more than $1.75 trillionMusk and the company have recently made moves that clearly show intent to launch SpaceX as a publicly traded company. Earlier this year, Musk's SpaceX acquired Musk's AI company xAI in order to bolster the combined company's value.

In addition, recently announced deals between SpaceX and big tech and AI companies would certainly be eye-catching for potential investors.

Just last week, a report found that Google was in talks with SpaceX to launch rockets into space for orbital AI data centers. Musk previously touted these data centers in space as essential for future AI technology and a prime reason as to why SpaceX needed to acquire xAI.  Prior to that news report, AI company Anthropic and SpaceX announced a partnership that included potential orbital AI data centers.

All signs point to SpaceX going public – and very soon. The only thing that's unclear at this time is exactly what date the IPO launch will take place. And, it seems we may also know that in the near future, too.