NYT Connections Hints for September 26, 2026 — Puzzle #1203

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

Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1203 on September 26, 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 26, 2026 (2026-09-26) · #1203 · Source: the game's public daily data (https://www.nytimes.com/svc/connections/v2/2026-09-26.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:

B _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
T _ _ _ _ _ D _ _ _ T _ A D _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ A _ T _ _ L _ _ _ _ _ _
F _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O _ W _ _ _
C _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ I _ E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

3. Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1

BREATH FRESHENERS

Show theme 2

THINGS DONE TO A DRESS SHIRT AT THE LAUNDRY

Show theme 3

FEATURES OF WOOD

Show theme 4

"COOL" THINGS, IN EXPRESSIONS

NYT Connections answer for September 26, 2026 — puzzle #1203

BREATH FRESHENERS

MINT, GUM, MOUTHWASH, SPRAY

THINGS DONE TO A DRESS SHIRT AT THE LAUNDRY

PRESS, STARCH, FOLD, WASH

FEATURES OF WOOD

GRAIN, RINGS, KNOTS, BURL

"COOL" THINGS, IN EXPRESSIONS

BEANS, CAT, CUCUMBER, CUSTOMER

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