NYT Connections Hints for August 25, 2026 — Puzzle #1171
Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.
Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1171 on August 25, 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:
S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ K _ _ _ F _ _ _ A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ T _ _E _ _ _ _ _ I _ I _ _ C _ _ _ _ O _ _ _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
SURFACE-LEVEL
Show theme 2
SCI-FI PHENOMENA
Show theme 3
STEPHEN KING FILM ADAPTATIONS, WITH "THE"
Show theme 4
ENDING IN ICE CREAM ORDERS
NYT Connections answer for August 25, 2026 — puzzle #1171
SURFACE-LEVEL
SUPERFICIAL, ONE-DIMENSIONAL, COSMETIC, SKIN-DEEP
SCI-FI PHENOMENA
HYPERSPACE, TIME WARP, PARALLEL UNIVERSE, TELEPORTATION
STEPHEN KING FILM ADAPTATIONS, WITH "THE"
RUNNING MAN, LONG WALK, GREEN MILE, SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
ENDING IN ICE CREAM ORDERS
HARLEM SHAKE, LICKETY-SPLIT, TRAFFIC CONE, INSIDE SCOOP
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:S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ K _ _ _ F _ _ _ A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ T _ _E _ _ _ _ _ I _ I _ _ C _ _ _ _ O _ _ _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1SURFACE-LEVELShow theme 2SCI-FI PHENOMENAShow theme 3STEPHEN KING FILM ADAPTATIONS, WITH "THE"Show theme 4ENDING IN ICE CREAM ORDERS
Recent NYT Connections puzzles
- September 20, 2026 — #1197
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- September 15, 2026 — #1192
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