NYT Connections Hints for 2026-08-23 — Puzzle #1169
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:
P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _D _ _ _ _ _ V _ _ _ _ _M _ _ _ W _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _H _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ R _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE THINGS
Show theme 2
DOUBLE VOWELS
Show theme 3
MADE WITH POTATOES
Show theme 4
HOUSEHOLD STAIN REMOVERS
NYT Connections answer for 2026-08-23
POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE THINGS
VOLCANO, TINDERBOX, POWDER KEG, TIME BOMB
DOUBLE VOWELS
ANTIFREEZE, VACUUM, SKIING, BAZAAR
MADE WITH POTATOES
VODKA, POTATO BATTERY, HOME FRIES, VICHYSSOISE
HOUSEHOLD STAIN REMOVERS
BAKING SODA, VINEGAR, CLUB SODA, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
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:P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _D _ _ _ _ _ V _ _ _ _ _M _ _ _ W _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _H _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ R _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE THINGSShow theme 2DOUBLE VOWELSShow theme 3MADE WITH POTATOESShow theme 4HOUSEHOLD STAIN REMOVERS
Recent NYT Connections puzzles
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