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NYT Connections · #1161

NYT Connections Hints & Answers (#1161) — August 15, 2026

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Earlier Aug 14 This puzzle Aug 15 Later Aug 16

“Check whether several words share the same final letters that could form a short common term.BEAT has appeared several times before — as defeating someone in Connections #901 (Nov 28, 2025), and as mixing ingredients vigorously in Connections #838 (Sep 26, 2025).”

NYT Connections hints for August 15, 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 BEANSTALKEnds with the verb meaning to follow quietly.
2 BEATLooks like hitting or rhythm but here means tired out.
3 CHAMOMILEEnds with a unit equal to 1,609 meters.
4 EYESHADOWEnds with the most direct verb for trailing someone.
5 FRIEDLooks like cooked in oil but here means tired out.
6 GRINCHEnds with the smallest common length unit.
7 HIGHTAILEnds with the verb meaning to follow secretly.
8 HOTFOOTEnds with the unit used to measure height.
9 LANYARDEnds with the unit equal to three feet.
10 LEGA distinct part of a journey or race.
11 PHASEOne step in a longer sequence.
12 SOUNDTRACKEnds with the verb meaning to follow or pursue.
13 SPENTLooks like having paid money but here means tired out.
14 STAGEA period or level within a process.
15 STRETCHLooks like extending but here means a segment or phase.
16 WORN OUTThe most literal way to say completely exhausted.
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 How you feel after a marathon with no rest.
See Group EXHAUSTED
See WordBEAT
See WordFRIED
See WordSPENT
See WordWORN OUT
See Hint Break down a long event into these.
See Group SEGMENT
See WordLEG
See WordPHASE
See WordSTAGE
See WordSTRETCH
See Hint Things you might measure with a ruler or tape.
See Group ENDING IN UNITS OF LENGTH
See WordCHAMOMILE
See WordGRINCH
See WordHOTFOOT
See WordLANYARD
See Hint Actions a detective might take on a case.
See Group ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR FOLLOW SECRETLY
See WordBEANSTALK
See WordEYESHADOW
See WordHIGHTAIL
See WordSOUNDTRACK
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 BEAT Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of hitting or a musical rhythm, but here the puzzle is using it as a term for being tired.
2 FRIED Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of cooking in oil, but here the puzzle is using it as a term for being tired.
3 SPENT Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of having paid money, but here the puzzle is using it as a term for being tired.
4 STRETCH Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of extending or pulling, but here the puzzle is using it as a term for a phase or segment.

NYT Connections answers for August 15, 2026

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

Y EXHAUSTED · Yellow · easiest
  • BEAT
  • FRIED
  • SPENT
  • WORN OUT

BEAT, FRIED, SPENT and WORN OUT all mean exhausted. WORN OUT stands out as the most direct phrasing of the idea.

G SEGMENT · Green · easy
  • LEG
  • PHASE
  • STAGE
  • STRETCH

LEG, PHASE, STAGE and STRETCH all mean a segment or phase. STRETCH is the one most likely to mislead at first glance.

B ENDING IN UNITS OF LENGTH · Blue · medium
  • CHAMOMILE
  • GRINCH
  • HOTFOOT
  • LANYARD

CHAMOMILE, GRINCH, HOTFOOT and LANYARD all end in units of length. GRINCH hides the shortest and most common unit.

P ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR FOLLOW SECRETLY · Purple · hardest
  • BEANSTALK
  • EYESHADOW
  • HIGHTAIL
  • SOUNDTRACK

BEANSTALK, EYESHADOW, HIGHTAIL and SOUNDTRACK all end in synonyms for follow secretly. EYESHADOW hides the most literal of the four verbs.

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