NYT Connections Hints for 2026-09-17 — Puzzle #1194
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 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _T _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ A _ _ U _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _H _ _ _ J _ _ _ _ _ _ M _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ T _ _L _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
ELASTICITY
Show theme 2
THINGS THAT ARE UNDERGROUND
Show theme 3
HUGH JACKMAN MOVIES, WITH "THE"
Show theme 4
LOVE ___
NYT Connections answer for 2026-09-17
ELASTICITY
SPRING, GIVE, BOUNCE, FLEXIBILITY
THINGS THAT ARE UNDERGROUND
SUBWAY STATION, WELL, SEWER LINE, MINE SHAFT
HUGH JACKMAN MOVIES, WITH "THE"
PRESTIGE, FOUNTAIN, SHEEP DETECTIVES, WOLVERINE
LOVE ___
TRIANGLE, TAP, LANGUAGE, HANDLES
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 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _T _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ A _ _ U _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _H _ _ _ J _ _ _ _ _ _ M _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ T _ _L _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1ELASTICITYShow theme 2THINGS THAT ARE UNDERGROUNDShow theme 3HUGH JACKMAN MOVIES, WITH "THE"Show theme 4LOVE ___
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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