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NYT Connections · #1158

NYT Connections Hints & Answers (#1158) — August 12, 2026

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“Sort words with possible animal meanings first to clear straightforward groups before surnames or compounds.”

NYT Connections hints for August 12, 2026

Three levels of help — a definition for every word, colour-coded group nudges, and a heads-up on the traps. Skip to all answers →

1

Word clues

A spoiler-free definition for every word in the grid. Tap the eye on any card to reveal which colour-group it belongs to.

1 BENESElaine's last name on Seinfeld.
2 BINGChandler's last name on Friends.
3 BULLA large frog known for its deep call.
4 FINE PRINTStarts with an approval word before the legal details.
5 FOSTERTo keep a feeling alive and growing.
6 GOODBYEStarts with an approval word before the farewell.
7 GREAT WHITELooks like a shark; here it starts with an approval word.
8 GREENThe most common color name for a frog.
9 HARBORLooks like a port; here it means to hold a grudge.
10 LEMONLooks like citrus; here it's Liz's last name on 30 Rock.
11 MAINTAINTo keep an emotion steady over time.
12 NURSELooks like a caregiver; here it means to hold onto a feeling.
13 OKAYAMAA Japanese city that begins with an approval word.
14 POISON DARTA tiny brightly colored frog from the tropics.
15 SCOTTMichael's last name on The Office.
16 TREEA frog that lives and climbs in branches.
2

Group hints

Four colour-coded groups, easiest → hardest. Every button reveals the hint, the category name, or a single word — tap only what you need.

See Hint What grudges do in your mind over years.
See Group HOLD ONTO, AS A FEELING
See WordFOSTER
See WordHARBOR
See WordMAINTAIN
See WordNURSE
See Hint Amphibians famous for leaping and bright colors.
See Group KINDS OF FROGS
See WordBULL
See WordGREEN
See WordPOISON DART
See WordTREE
See Hint Last names from comedy shows on one network.
See Group NBC SITCOM SURNAMES
See WordBENES
See WordBING
See WordLEMON
See WordSCOTT
See Hint Phrases that open with words of agreement.
See Group STARTING WITH AFFIRMATIVE RESPONSES
See WordFINE PRINT
See WordGOODBYE
See WordGREAT WHITE
See WordOKAYAMA
3

Words the puzzle wants you to mis-group

Read these before you guess — they're the words most likely to break a streak. Tap for the trap.

1 NURSE Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of a medical caregiver, but here the puzzle is using it as a verb for holding onto something emotionally.
2 HARBOR Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of a seaport or shelter, but here the puzzle is using it as a verb for holding onto something emotionally.
3 LEMON Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of a yellow citrus fruit, but here the puzzle is using it as a surname from a TV show.

NYT Connections answers for August 12, 2026

All four groups revealed, easiest first. Each card holds the theme, the four words, and why the group works.

Y HOLD ONTO, AS A FEELING · Yellow · easiest
  • FOSTER
  • HARBOR
  • MAINTAIN
  • NURSE

FOSTER, HARBOR, MAINTAIN and NURSE are all verbs meaning to hold onto a feeling. NURSE is the sneakiest because most people first picture a medical role.

G KINDS OF FROGS · Green · easy
  • BULL
  • GREEN
  • POISON DART
  • TREE

BULL, GREEN, POISON DART and TREE are all kinds of frogs. BULL is the plain one with no extra twist.

B NBC SITCOM SURNAMES · Blue · medium
  • BENES
  • BING
  • LEMON
  • SCOTT

BENES, BING, LEMON and SCOTT are all surnames from NBC sitcoms. LEMON is the sneakiest because most solvers first picture the citrus fruit.

P STARTING WITH AFFIRMATIVE RESPONSES · Purple · hardest
  • FINE PRINT
  • GOODBYE
  • GREAT WHITE
  • OKAYAMA

FINE PRINT, GOODBYE, GREAT WHITE and OKAYAMA all start with affirmative responses. GREAT WHITE is the sneakiest because most solvers first picture the shark.

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