NYT Connections Hints for August 15, 2026 — Puzzle #1161

Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.

Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1161 on August 15, 2026: how many groups there are, a masked theme for each group, then the four categories one at a time, then all sixteen words and the full grouping.

Puzzle date: August 15, 2026 (2026-08-15) · #1161 · Source: the game's public daily data (https://www.nytimes.com/svc/connections/v2/2026-08-15.json). Hints are derived from that day's verified answer data — no invented clues, difficulty scores or word claims.

1. The shape of the puzzle

There are 4 categories of 4 words each (16 words total).

2. The four themes, masked

Each theme below keeps its word shapes and the first letter of every word:

E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
S _ _ _ _ _ _
E _ _ _ _ _ I _ U _ _ _ _ O _ L _ _ _ _ _
E _ _ _ _ _ I _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ F _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _

3. Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1

EXHAUSTED

Show theme 2

SEGMENT

Show theme 3

ENDING IN UNITS OF LENGTH

Show theme 4

ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR FOLLOW SECRETLY

NYT Connections answer for August 15, 2026 — puzzle #1161

EXHAUSTED

BEAT, FRIED, SPENT, WORN OUT

SEGMENT

STAGE, LEG, STRETCH, PHASE

ENDING IN UNITS OF LENGTH

GRINCH, LANYARD, HOTFOOT, CHAMOMILE

ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR FOLLOW SECRETLY

BEANSTALK, HIGHTAIL, SOUNDTRACK, EYESHADOW

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