NYT Connections Hints for September 8, 2026 — Puzzle #1185
Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.
Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1185 on September 8, 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:
C _ _ _ _ _ _ A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ C _ _ _F _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O _ A M _ _ _ C _ _ _ _ _ _H _ _ _ _C _ _ _ _ B _ _ _ P _ _ _ A L _ _ _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
CLASSIC AMERICAN PERFORMANCE CARS
Show theme 2
FEATURES OF A MIME COSTUME
Show theme 3
___ HEART
Show theme 4
CANDY BARS PLUS A LETTER
NYT Connections answer for September 8, 2026 — puzzle #1185
CLASSIC AMERICAN PERFORMANCE CARS
CORVETTE, VIPER, MUSTANG, FIREBIRD
FEATURES OF A MIME COSTUME
STRIPES, GLOVES, BERET, SUSPENDERS
___ HEART
PURPLE, ARTICHOKE, SACRED, TAKE TO
CANDY BARS PLUS A LETTER
SKORT, DOVES, MARSH, TWIXT
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:C _ _ _ _ _ _ A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ C _ _ _F _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O _ A M _ _ _ C _ _ _ _ _ _ H _ _ _ _C _ _ _ _ B _ _ _ P _ _ _ A L _ _ _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1CLASSIC AMERICAN PERFORMANCE CARSShow theme 2FEATURES OF A MIME COSTUMEShow theme 3___ HEARTShow theme 4CANDY BARS PLUS A LETTER
Recent NYT Connections puzzles
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