NYT Connections Hints for September 1, 2026 — Puzzle #1178
Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.
Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1178 on September 1, 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:
I P _ _ _ _ _ _L _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ O _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ _ _P _ _ _ _ _ _ I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O _ F _ _ _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ W _ _ _ _ O _ I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
"I PROMISE!"
Show theme 2
LONG, SKINNY THINGS OFTEN SEEN TOGETHER
Show theme 3
PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS OF FICTION
Show theme 4
STARTING WITH WORDS OF INTENTION
NYT Connections answer for September 1, 2026 — puzzle #1178
"I PROMISE!"
FOR REAL, CROSS MY HEART, PINKY SWEAR, ON GOD
LONG, SKINNY THINGS OFTEN SEEN TOGETHER
ARROW, GOLF CLUB, PICK-UP STICK, SPAGHETTO
PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS OF FICTION
SAM SPADE, MIKE HAMMER, SHERLOCK HOLMES, HERCULE POIROT
STARTING WITH WORDS OF INTENTION
PLANETARIUM, HOPE DIAMOND, WISHY-WASHY, AIMEE MANN
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:I P _ _ _ _ _ _L _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ O _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ _ _P _ _ _ _ _ _ I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O _ F _ _ _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ W _ _ _ _ O _ I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1"I PROMISE!"Show theme 2LONG, SKINNY THINGS OFTEN SEEN TOGETHERShow theme 3PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS OF FICTIONShow theme 4STARTING WITH WORDS OF INTENTION
Recent NYT Connections puzzles
- September 20, 2026 — #1197
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- September 18, 2026 — #1195
- September 17, 2026 — #1194
- September 16, 2026 — #1193
- September 15, 2026 — #1192
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- September 13, 2026 — #1190
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