Daily Puzzle Hints

NYT Connections Hints for 2026-09-08 — Puzzle #1185

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

Source: the official puzzle feed (official NYT feed), retrieved . Hints are derived from the official 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:

3. Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1

CLASSIC AMERICAN PERFORMANCE CARS

Show theme 2

FEATURES OF A MIME COSTUME

Show theme 3

___ HEART

Show theme 4

CANDY BARS PLUS A LETTER

NYT Connections answer for 2026-09-08

CLASSIC AMERICAN PERFORMANCE CARS

CORVETTE, VIPER, MUSTANG, FIREBIRD

FEATURES OF A MIME COSTUME

STRIPES, GLOVES, BERET, SUSPENDERS

___ HEART

PURPLE, ARTICHOKE, SACRED, TAKE TO

CANDY BARS PLUS A LETTER

SKORT, DOVES, MARSH, TWIXT

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:C _ _ _ _ _ _ A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ C _ _ _F _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O _ A M _ _ _ C _ _ _ _ _ _ H _ _ _ _C _ _ _ _ B _ _ _ P _ _ _ A L _ _ _ _ _

Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1CLASSIC AMERICAN PERFORMANCE CARSShow theme 2FEATURES OF A MIME COSTUMEShow theme 3___ HEARTShow theme 4CANDY BARS PLUS A LETTER

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