NYT Connections Hints for 2026-08-18 — Puzzle #1164
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:
S _ _ _ A _ A M _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _P _ _T _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ A _ _ O _ _ _ _ _T _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ A _ _ G _ _ _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
SEEN AT A MOVIE PREMIERE
Show theme 2
PJS
Show theme 3
THINGS THAT ARE ORANGE
Show theme 4
THINGS THAT ARE GRITTY
NYT Connections answer for 2026-08-18
SEEN AT A MOVIE PREMIERE
RED CARPET, VELVET ROPE, LIMOUSINE, PAPARAZZI
PJS
PRIVATE JET, PRACTICAL JOKE, PETROLEUM JELLY, POETIC JUSTICE
THINGS THAT ARE ORANGE
BASKETBALL, SWEET POTATO, TRAFFIC CONE, ORANGUTAN
THINGS THAT ARE GRITTY
FILM NOIR, SANDPAPER, FLYERS MASCOT, COWBOY COFFEE
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:S _ _ _ A _ A M _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _P _ _T _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ A _ _ O _ _ _ _ _T _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ A _ _ G _ _ _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1SEEN AT A MOVIE PREMIEREShow theme 2PJSShow theme 3THINGS THAT ARE ORANGEShow theme 4THINGS THAT ARE GRITTY
Recent NYT Connections puzzles
- 2026-09-20 — #1197
- 2026-09-19 — #1196
- 2026-09-18 — #1195
- 2026-09-17 — #1194
- 2026-09-16 — #1193
- 2026-09-15 — #1192
- 2026-09-14 — #1191
- 2026-09-13 — #1190
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