NYT Connections Hints for August 31, 2026 — Puzzle #1177

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

Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1177 on August 31, 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 31, 2026 (2026-08-31) · #1177 · Source: the game's public daily data (https://www.nytimes.com/svc/connections/v2/2026-08-31.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:

T _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ C _ _ _ I _ T _ _ _ _
W _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O _ A S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ B _ _
H _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _
B _ _ _

3. Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1

THINGS THAT COME IN TUBES

Show theme 2

WARNINGS ON A SHIPPING BOX

Show theme 3

HISTORICAL SOVEREIGN TITLES

Show theme 4

___ BOWL

NYT Connections answer for August 31, 2026 — puzzle #1177

THINGS THAT COME IN TUBES

LIPSTICK, POSTER, TOOTHPASTE, TENNIS BALLS

WARNINGS ON A SHIPPING BOX

FRAGILE, HEAVY, PERISHABLE, THIS SIDE UP

HISTORICAL SOVEREIGN TITLES

CALIPH, PHARAOH, KHAN, SHOGUN

___ BOWL

SUPER, SALAD, DUST, POKE

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