NYT Connections Hints for 2026-09-12 — Puzzle #1189
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:
W _ _ _ T _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ A C _ _P _ _ _ _ _ I _ A _ O _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ _ _T _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ B _ _ _ _A _ _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
WAYS TO PERSONALIZE A CAR
Show theme 2
PEOPLE IN AN ONLINE FORUM
Show theme 3
THINGS THAT BLINK
Show theme 4
___ ALERT
NYT Connections answer for 2026-09-12
WAYS TO PERSONALIZE A CAR
BUMPER STICKER, VANITY PLATE, FUZZY DICE, HOOD ORNAMENT
PEOPLE IN AN ONLINE FORUM
POSTER, TROLL, SPAMMER, LURKER
THINGS THAT BLINK
TURN SIGNAL, CURSOR, SMOKE DETECTOR, EYELIDS
___ ALERT
WEATHER, SPOILER, NERD, RED
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:W _ _ _ T _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ A C _ _P _ _ _ _ _ I _ A _ O _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ _ _T _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ B _ _ _ _ A _ _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1WAYS TO PERSONALIZE A CARShow theme 2PEOPLE IN AN ONLINE FORUMShow theme 3THINGS THAT BLINKShow theme 4___ ALERT
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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