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NYT Connections · #1155

NYT Connections Hints & Answers (#1155) — August 9, 2026

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“Group the shortest phrases first before moving to any longer named items.Today's puzzle has CORDUROY, which also appeared in Connections #48 (Jul 29, 2023). It was part of fabrics.”

NYT Connections hints for August 9, 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 BAD DREAMA nightmare you wake up wanting to escape.
2 BUDDY COPTwo mismatched officers solving crimes together.
3 CAPS FOR SALEThe peddler and his stack of hats.
4 CHANGE TACKA sailing term for turning to a new course.
5 CORDUROYThe bear who lives in a department store.
6 COURSE-CORRECTThe direct way to fix a wrong path.
7 ESCAPE ROOMLooks like fun but counts as something to finish quickly.
8 GOODNIGHT MOONThe bedtime ritual with the little bunny.
9 JURY DUTYThe civic obligation most try to postpone.
10 LABYRINTHA maze you are desperate to exit.
11 MADELINEThe smallest girl in the old house in Paris.
12 NEO-NOIRModern films that echo classic dark crime stories.
13 RECALIBRATETo reset measurements or expectations.
14 SHIFT GEARSMoving from one mode of action to another.
15 SPACE OPERAEpic adventures set among the stars.
16 SPAGHETTI WESTERNItalian-made cowboy films from the 1960s.
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 Actions that help you steer away from your original plan.
See Group TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH
See WordCHANGE TACK
See WordCOURSE-CORRECT
See WordRECALIBRATE
See WordSHIFT GEARS
See Hint Stories that generations of kids know by heart.
See Group CLASSIC CHILDREN'S BOOKS
See WordCAPS FOR SALE
See WordCORDUROY
See WordGOODNIGHT MOON
See WordMADELINE
See Hint Film styles defined by their setting or tone.
See Group MOVIE SUBGENRES
See WordBUDDY COP
See WordNEO-NOIR
See WordSPACE OPERA
See WordSPAGHETTI WESTERN
See Hint Situations most people would rather avoid entirely.
See Group THINGS PEOPLE TRY TO GET OUT OF
See WordBAD DREAM
See WordESCAPE ROOM
See WordJURY DUTY
See WordLABYRINTH
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 LABYRINTH Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably picturing a confusing maze, but here the puzzle is using it as a situation people try to leave, not a physical space.
2 ESCAPE ROOM Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of a puzzle game venue, but here the puzzle is using it as something people want to avoid, not entertainment.

NYT Connections answers for August 9, 2026

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

Y TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH · Yellow · easiest
  • CHANGE TACK
  • COURSE-CORRECT
  • RECALIBRATE
  • SHIFT GEARS

CHANGE TACK, COURSE-CORRECT, RECALIBRATE and SHIFT GEARS all describe adjusting your method or direction. RECALIBRATE stands out because it often applies to machines or instruments rather than people.

G CLASSIC CHILDREN'S BOOKS · Green · easy
  • CAPS FOR SALE
  • CORDUROY
  • GOODNIGHT MOON
  • MADELINE

CAPS FOR SALE, CORDUROY, GOODNIGHT MOON and MADELINE are all classic children's picture books. CORDUROY is the sneakiest because its fabric meaning is far more common in daily speech.

B MOVIE SUBGENRES · Blue · medium
  • BUDDY COP
  • NEO-NOIR
  • SPACE OPERA
  • SPAGHETTI WESTERN

BUDDY COP, NEO-NOIR, SPACE OPERA and SPAGHETTI WESTERN are all recognized movie subgenres. SPAGHETTI WESTERN is the most specific because it points to a particular country and era of filmmaking.

P THINGS PEOPLE TRY TO GET OUT OF · Purple · hardest
  • BAD DREAM
  • ESCAPE ROOM
  • JURY DUTY
  • LABYRINTH

BAD DREAM, ESCAPE ROOM, JURY DUTY and LABYRINTH are all things people try to get out of. LABYRINTH is the trickiest because its movie connection can pull solvers toward another category.

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