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NYT Connections · #1149

NYT Connections Hints & Answers (#1149) — August 3, 2026

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“Group words by shared spelling quirks first if meaning-based clusters do not form quickly.”

NYT Connections hints for August 3, 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 ALLEYA narrow side path between buildings.
2 BACKSTREETA lesser road behind the main ones.
3 BUG FIXLooks like a repair but opens with an insect synonym.
4 BYWAYA quiet rural route off the main road.
5 FLY BYA quick pass with only Y as vowel.
6 FORESTA deep, dark green like woodland.
7 HUNTERA strong, muted green used in clothing.
8 LANEA small road or path, often rural.
9 MINTA light, fresh green like the herb.
10 MYRRHAn ancient resin spelled with only Y.
11 NAG CHAMPALooks like incense but opens with a persistent-complaint synonym.
12 NEEDLESSLooks like unnecessary but opens with a sewing synonym.
13 NSYNCThe band name written with only Y.
14 RHYTHMA common word that uses only Y as vowel.
15 SAGEA soft, grayish green like the herb.
16 TEA SETLooks like dishware but opens with a taunt synonym.
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 Paths that avoid the main highway.
See Group ROAD LESS TRAVELED
See WordALLEY
See WordBACKSTREET
See WordBYWAY
See WordLANE
See Hint Colours found in a thick garden.
See Group SHADES OF GREEN
See WordFOREST
See WordHUNTER
See WordMINT
See WordSAGE
See Hint Words that skip the usual vowels.
See Group "Y" IS THE ONLY VOWEL
See WordFLY BY
See WordMYRRH
See WordNSYNC
See WordRHYTHM
See Hint The first word in every phrase has something in common.
See Group STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "PESTER"
See WordBUG FIX
See WordNAG CHAMPA
See WordNEEDLESS
See WordTEA SET
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 NEEDLESS Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of something unnecessary, but here the puzzle is using it as a compound starting with a pester synonym.
2 NAG CHAMPA Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of an incense brand, but here the puzzle is using it as a compound starting with a pester synonym.
3 BUG FIX Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of a software repair, but here the puzzle is using it as a compound starting with a pester synonym.
4 TEA SET Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of dishware, but here the puzzle is using it as a compound starting with a pester synonym.

NYT Connections answers for August 3, 2026

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

Y ROAD LESS TRAVELED · Yellow · easiest
  • ALLEY
  • BACKSTREET
  • BYWAY
  • LANE

ALLEY, BACKSTREET, BYWAY and LANE are all types of minor roads or paths. BACKSTREET is the one most likely to pull attention toward music instead.

G SHADES OF GREEN · Green · easy
  • FOREST
  • HUNTER
  • MINT
  • SAGE

FOREST, HUNTER, MINT and SAGE are all shades of green. FOREST is the darkest and most common in prior puzzles.

B "Y" IS THE ONLY VOWEL · Blue · medium
  • FLY BY
  • MYRRH
  • NSYNC
  • RHYTHM

FLY BY, MYRRH, NSYNC and RHYTHM are words whose only vowel is Y. MYRRH is the oldest and least obvious spelling example.

P STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "PESTER" · Purple · hardest
  • BUG FIX
  • NAG CHAMPA
  • NEEDLESS
  • TEA SET

BUG FIX, NAG CHAMPA, NEEDLESS and TEA SET each start with a synonym for pester. NEEDLESS hides its prefix the most effectively.

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