NYT Connections Hints for October 26, 2026 — Puzzle #1233

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

Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1233 on October 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: October 26, 2026 (2026-10-26) · #1233 · Source: the game's public daily data (https://www.nytimes.com/svc/connections/v2/2026-10-26.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:

R _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T _ H _ _ A _ _ Y _ _
K _ _ _ _ O _ M _ _ _
A _ _ D _ _ B _ _ _ _ G _ _ _ _ _
H _ _ _ _ _ M _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ L _ _ _ L _ _ _ _ _ C _ _ _ _ _ _

3. Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1

RESPONSES TO "HOW ARE YOU?"

Show theme 2

KINDS OF MATS

Show theme 3

AKC DOG BREED GROUPS

Show theme 4

HORROR MOVIES WITH LAST LETTER CHANGED

NYT Connections answer for October 26, 2026 — puzzle #1233

RESPONSES TO "HOW ARE YOU?"

CHILLING, MANAGING, SAME OLD, NOT BAD

KINDS OF MATS

WELCOME, YOGA, PRAYER, WRESTLING

AKC DOG BREED GROUPS

TOY, SPORTING, HOUND, HERDING

HORROR MOVIES WITH LAST LETTER CHANGED

HALLOWEEK, JAWN, PSYCHS, HOSTED

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