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NYT Connections · #1159

NYT Connections Hints & Answers (#1159) — August 13, 2026

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Earlier Aug 12 This puzzle Aug 13 Later Aug 14

“Separate words that might measure distance from those tied to flying rewards first.”

NYT Connections hints for August 13, 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 CARRY ONThe phrase that means refuse to quit.
2 CHECKED BAGSThe free luggage allowance for top-tier flyers.
3 COMFORTYou're probably thinking of ease, but here it's the inadequate kind.
4 CONTINUEThe straightforward verb for not stopping.
5 CREEPThe slowest, most cautious forward motion.
6 EASETo shift position with minimal effort.
7 EDGETo move sideways in tiny increments.
8 FEETYou're probably thinking of body parts, but here it's sudden hesitation.
9 INCHYou're probably thinking of length, but here it's a verb for tiny steps.
10 LOUNGEThe quiet airport room open only to elites.
11 MAKE ITThe phrase that suggests barely reaching the goal.
12 MILESYou're probably thinking of distance, but here it's the reward points.
13 PERSISTThe most formal word for steady effort.
14 SHOULDERYou're probably thinking of a body part, but here it's deliberate ignoring.
15 TURKEYYou're probably thinking of the bird, but here it's abrupt quitting.
16 UPGRADEThe bump to a better seat or class.
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 Keep trying even when progress feels impossible.
See Group PERSEVERE
See WordCARRY ON
See WordCONTINUE
See WordMAKE IT
See WordPERSIST
See Hint Move forward by the smallest possible amounts.
See Group MOVE SLOWLY (UP TO)
See WordCREEP
See WordEASE
See WordEDGE
See WordINCH
See Hint Benefits frequent flyers actually receive.
See Group AIRLINE STATUS PERKS
See WordCHECKED BAGS
See WordLOUNGE
See WordMILES
See WordUPGRADE
See Hint Phrases that pair a temperature with emotional chill.
See Group "COLD" THINGS, IN IDIOMS
See WordCOMFORT
See WordFEET
See WordSHOULDER
See WordTURKEY
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 INCH Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of a unit of length, but here the puzzle is using it as a verb for slow movement, not measurement.
2 MILES Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of distance units, but here the puzzle is using it as a travel reward term, not a length.
3 FEET Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably picturing body parts, but here the puzzle is using it in an idiom about sudden fear, not anatomy.
4 SHOULDER Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably picturing a body part, but here the puzzle is using it in an idiom about deliberate ignoring, not anatomy.
5 TURKEY Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of the bird or meat, but here the puzzle is using it in an idiom about abrupt stopping, not food.

NYT Connections answers for August 13, 2026

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

Y PERSEVERE · Yellow · easiest
  • CARRY ON
  • CONTINUE
  • MAKE IT
  • PERSIST

CARRY ON, CONTINUE, MAKE IT and PERSIST all mean to keep going despite difficulty. MAKE IT stands out because it often implies barely succeeding after a struggle.

G MOVE SLOWLY (UP TO) · Green · easy
  • CREEP
  • EASE
  • EDGE
  • INCH

CREEP, EASE, EDGE and INCH all describe advancing very gradually. INCH is the sneakiest because it can also name a length unit in other contexts.

B AIRLINE STATUS PERKS · Blue · medium
  • CHECKED BAGS
  • LOUNGE
  • MILES
  • UPGRADE

CHECKED BAGS, LOUNGE, MILES and UPGRADE are all elite airline perks. MILES is the trap because it also reads as a distance unit elsewhere on the grid.

P "COLD" THINGS, IN IDIOMS · Purple · hardest
  • COMFORT
  • FEET
  • SHOULDER
  • TURKEY

COMFORT, FEET, SHOULDER and TURKEY all complete idioms that begin with 'cold'. COMFORT is the least obvious because its surface meaning feels positive until the idiom clicks.

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