NYT Connections Hints for 2026-08-15 — Puzzle #1161
Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.
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 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _E _ _ _ _ _ I _ U _ _ _ _ O _ L _ _ _ _ _E _ _ _ _ _ I _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ F _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
EXHAUSTED
Show theme 2
SEGMENT
Show theme 3
ENDING IN UNITS OF LENGTH
Show theme 4
ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR FOLLOW SECRETLY
NYT Connections answer for 2026-08-15
EXHAUSTED
BEAT, FRIED, SPENT, WORN OUT
SEGMENT
STAGE, LEG, STRETCH, PHASE
ENDING IN UNITS OF LENGTH
GRINCH, LANYARD, HOTFOOT, CHAMOMILE
ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR FOLLOW SECRETLY
BEANSTALK, HIGHTAIL, SOUNDTRACK, EYESHADOW
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 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _E _ _ _ _ _ I _ U _ _ _ _ O _ L _ _ _ _ _E _ _ _ _ _ I _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ F _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1EXHAUSTEDShow theme 2SEGMENTShow theme 3ENDING IN UNITS OF LENGTHShow theme 4ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR FOLLOW SECRETLY
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