NYT Connections Hints for August 23, 2026 — Puzzle #1169
Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.
Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1169 on August 23, 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:
P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _D _ _ _ _ _ V _ _ _ _ _M _ _ _ W _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _H _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ R _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE THINGS
Show theme 2
DOUBLE VOWELS
Show theme 3
MADE WITH POTATOES
Show theme 4
HOUSEHOLD STAIN REMOVERS
NYT Connections answer for August 23, 2026 — puzzle #1169
POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE THINGS
VOLCANO, TINDERBOX, POWDER KEG, TIME BOMB
DOUBLE VOWELS
ANTIFREEZE, VACUUM, SKIING, BAZAAR
MADE WITH POTATOES
VODKA, POTATO BATTERY, HOME FRIES, VICHYSSOISE
HOUSEHOLD STAIN REMOVERS
BAKING SODA, VINEGAR, CLUB SODA, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
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:P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _D _ _ _ _ _ V _ _ _ _ _M _ _ _ W _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _H _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ R _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE THINGSShow theme 2DOUBLE VOWELSShow theme 3MADE WITH POTATOESShow theme 4HOUSEHOLD STAIN REMOVERS
Recent NYT Connections puzzles
- September 20, 2026 — #1197
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- September 17, 2026 — #1194
- September 16, 2026 — #1193
- September 15, 2026 — #1192
- September 14, 2026 — #1191
- September 13, 2026 — #1190
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