NYT Connections Hints for August 22, 2026 — Puzzle #1168
Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.
Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1168 on August 22, 2026: how many groups there are, a masked theme for each group, then the four categories one at a time, then all sixteen words — the full solution stays hidden until you reveal it.
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:
C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _K _ _ _ _ O _ M _ _ _ _G _ _ _ _ _ H _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _G _ _ _ _ O _ P _ _ C _ _ _ _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
CARPENTRY TOOLS
Show theme 2
KINDS OF MELON
Show theme 3
GARDEN HOSE SETTINGS
Show theme 4
___ GIRLS OF POP CULTURE
NYT Connections answer for August 22, 2026 — puzzle #1168
CARPENTRY TOOLS
HAMMER, PLANE, SAW, CHISEL
KINDS OF MELON
BITTER, WINTER, MUSK, WATER
GARDEN HOSE SETTINGS
CONE, JET, MIST, SHOWER
___ GIRLS OF POP CULTURE
SPICE, MEAN, GOLDEN, GILMORE
Frequently asked questions
The shape of the puzzle
There are 4 categories of 4 words each (16 words total).
The four themes, masked
Each theme below keeps its word shapes and the first letter of every word:C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _K _ _ _ _ O _ M _ _ _ _G _ _ _ _ _ H _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ G _ _ _ _ O _ P _ _ C _ _ _ _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1CARPENTRY TOOLSShow theme 2KINDS OF MELONShow theme 3GARDEN HOSE SETTINGSShow theme 4___ GIRLS OF POP CULTURE
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