NYT Connections Hints for September 4, 2026 — Puzzle #1181

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

Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1181 on September 4, 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: September 4, 2026 (2026-09-04) · #1181 · Source: the game's public daily data (https://www.nytimes.com/svc/connections/v2/2026-09-04.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:

S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _
F _ _ _ W _ _ _ _ N _ _ _ I _ T _ _ F _ _ _ _
K _ _ _ _ O _ E _ _ _
A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ A _ _ E _ _ _ _ _ L _ _ _ _ _ _

3. Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1

SPHERICAL THINGS

Show theme 2

FOOD WHOSE NAME IS TWO FOODS

Show theme 3

KINDS OF EELS

Show theme 4

ACCESSORIES INSIDE STARTING AND ENDING LETTERS

NYT Connections answer for September 4, 2026 — puzzle #1181

SPHERICAL THINGS

MOON, EYE, ORANGE, BOWLING BALL

FOOD WHOSE NAME IS TWO FOODS

PIZZA PIE, CANDY CORN, CAKE DONUT, CHERRY TOMATO

KINDS OF EELS

MORAY, RIBBON, CONGER, GULPER

ACCESSORIES INSIDE STARTING AND ENDING LETTERS

THAT'S, OPINE, STIED, CRINGY

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