NYT Connections Hints for September 21, 2026 — Puzzle #1198
Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.
Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1198 on September 21, 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:
E _ _ _ _ B _ _ _ _ _ _W _ _ _ T _ A _ _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ _C _ _ _ _ V _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ O _ C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ N _ _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
EMAIL BUTTONS
Show theme 2
WAYS TO ATTRACT FISH
Show theme 3
CHESS VERBS
Show theme 4
STARTS OF COMPOSERS' NAMES
NYT Connections answer for September 21, 2026 — puzzle #1198
EMAIL BUTTONS
COMPOSE, SPAM, SENT, DRAFTS
WAYS TO ATTRACT FISH
FLY, WORM, CHUM, SPINNER
CHESS VERBS
CHECK, MATE, CASTLE, CAPTURE
STARTS OF COMPOSERS' NAMES
BEET, BRAH, VIVA, CHOP
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:E _ _ _ _ B _ _ _ _ _ _W _ _ _ T _ A _ _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ _C _ _ _ _ V _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ O _ C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ N _ _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1EMAIL BUTTONSShow theme 2WAYS TO ATTRACT FISHShow theme 3CHESS VERBSShow theme 4STARTS OF COMPOSERS' NAMES
Recent NYT Connections puzzles
- September 21, 2026 — #1198
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- September 18, 2026 — #1195
- September 17, 2026 — #1194
- September 16, 2026 — #1193
- September 15, 2026 — #1192
- September 14, 2026 — #1191
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