Daily category-matching word game
Today’s NYT Connections answers and hints for August 23, 2026, puzzle #1169, with category clues, yesterday’s groups, and recent games to review.
Today’s NYT Connections answers for August 23, 2026, puzzle #1169, are hidden below. Reveal one category hint at a time or open each complete group when you are ready.
Connections asks you to sort 16 words into four groups of four. The groups are ordered by the familiar yellow, green, blue, and purple difficulty colors, with purple usually containing the trickiest wordplay.
Category clues first
Reveal a clue for each color without uncovering the four words that belong together.
Look for words connected by: Potentially Explosive Things.
Look for words connected by: Double Vowels.
Look for words connected by: Made With Potatoes.
Look for words connected by: Household Stain Removers.
The complete solution
The four groups for August 23, 2026, puzzle #1169, remain hidden until you open them.
POWDER KEG, TIME BOMB, TINDERBOX, VOLCANO
ANTIFREEZE, BAZAAR, SKIING, VACUUM
HOME FRIES, POTATO BATTERY, VISCHYSSOISE, VODKA
BAKING SODA, CLUB SODA, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, VINEGAR
See the grid differently
Connections rewards precision and lateral thinking. These habits help separate intentional groups from the puzzle’s tempting overlaps.
Start with a group whose four members share one precise relationship. Avoid submitting a set merely because its words feel broadly related.
Several words may appear to fit the same theme. Keep an alternative candidate in mind before committing to a group.
Some categories depend on words that precede or follow another word rather than sharing a direct definition.
Purple groups often use beginnings, endings, sounds, spelling patterns, or words concealed inside longer answers.
Once one group is removed, reconsider the remaining words from scratch. The intended relationships often become much clearer.
A fresh arrangement can break visual associations created by neighboring words and reveal a connection you previously missed.
In case you missed it
August 22, 2026 · Puzzle #1168
CHISEL, HAMMER, PLANE, SAW
BITTER, MUSK, WATER, WINTER
CONE, JET, MIST, SHOWER
GILMORE, GOLDEN, MEAN, SPICE
Recent solutions
Open any recent date to review its four completed groups.
CHISEL, HAMMER, PLANE, SAW
BITTER, MUSK, WATER, WINTER
CONE, JET, MIST, SHOWER
GILMORE, GOLDEN, MEAN, SPICE
NUTRITION, OXYGEN, SLEEP, WATER
ACTION, CURTAIN UP, PLACES, SHOWTIME
COMEBACK, KARATE, SUNDANCE, WIMPY
BLUE MOON, GENERATION, LIFETIME, WHILE
DIAVOLA, HAWAIIAN, MEAT LOVERS, WHITE
ATOMIC, SERIAL, SOCIAL SECURITY, TELEPHONE
APOSTROPHE, CEDILLA, COMMA, OKINA
DRAGONFLY, OXFORD, PIGMENT, RATCHET
BREEZE, CINCH, PICNIC, SNAP
BLANKET, HIDE, MASK, OBSCURE
BASE, BASKET, FOOT, PICKLE
ANTS, COCOA, RHEO, SEOUL
LIMOUSINE, PAPARAZZI, RED CARPET, VELVET ROPE
PETROLEUM JELLY, POETIC JUSTICE, PRACTICAL JOKE, PRIVATE JET
BASKETBALL, ORANGUTAN, SWEET POTATO, TRAFFIC CONE
COWBOY COFFEE, FILM NOIR, FLYERS MASCOT, SANDPAPER
Keep playing
Good to know
Quick answers about hints, difficulty colors, yesterday’s solution, and recent games.
The current puzzle number and date appear at the top of this page and update with the newest stored Connections game.
Yes. Each difficulty color has an optional category hint. The four complete groups remain hidden in a separate answer section.
Yellow is generally the most direct category, followed by green and blue. Purple usually involves the most difficult association or wordplay.
Yesterday’s four groups appear below the solving tips, followed by compact panels for the five most recent games.
No. Answer Today is an independent puzzle-help website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by The New York Times.
