NYT Connections Hints for September 17, 2026 — Puzzle #1194

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

Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1194 on September 17, 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 17, 2026 (2026-09-17) · #1194 · Source: the game's public daily data (https://www.nytimes.com/svc/connections/v2/2026-09-17.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:

E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
T _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ A _ _ U _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
H _ _ _ J _ _ _ _ _ _ M _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ T _ _
L _ _ _

3. Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1

ELASTICITY

Show theme 2

THINGS THAT ARE UNDERGROUND

Show theme 3

HUGH JACKMAN MOVIES, WITH "THE"

Show theme 4

LOVE ___

NYT Connections answer for September 17, 2026 — puzzle #1194

ELASTICITY

SPRING, GIVE, BOUNCE, FLEXIBILITY

THINGS THAT ARE UNDERGROUND

SUBWAY STATION, WELL, SEWER LINE, MINE SHAFT

HUGH JACKMAN MOVIES, WITH "THE"

PRESTIGE, FOUNTAIN, SHEEP DETECTIVES, WOLVERINE

LOVE ___

TRIANGLE, TAP, LANGUAGE, HANDLES

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