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 — 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 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 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
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 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _F _ _ _ W _ _ _ _ N _ _ _ I _ T _ _ F _ _ _ _K _ _ _ _ O _ E _ _ _A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ A _ _ E _ _ _ _ _ L _ _ _ _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1SPHERICAL THINGSShow theme 2FOOD WHOSE NAME IS TWO FOODSShow theme 3KINDS OF EELSShow theme 4ACCESSORIES INSIDE STARTING AND ENDING LETTERS
Recent NYT Connections puzzles
- September 20, 2026 — #1197
- September 19, 2026 — #1196
- September 18, 2026 — #1195
- September 17, 2026 — #1194
- September 16, 2026 — #1193
- September 15, 2026 — #1192
- September 14, 2026 — #1191
- September 13, 2026 — #1190
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