Issue #1168 Sat 22 Aug
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — August 22, 2026
A grounded collection that asks for a bit of focus. Clear your desk and take your time with these four distinct corners of the grid.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
The sawdust settling on your workbench, the rhythm of a project coming together, and the weight of a heavy metal handle in your palm.
Manual craftsmanship
Examples of one named set
Members are 3–6 letters; first letters C, H, P, S.
CARPENTRY TOOLS
One is CHISEL.
CHISEL · HAMMER · PLANE · SAW
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
A slice of chilled fruit on a paper plate, the rind left behind, and the particular sweetness of a summer afternoon.
Botanical varieties
Examples of one named set
Members are 4–6 letters; first letters B, M, W.
KINDS OF MELON
One is BITTER.
BITTER · MUSK · WATER · WINTER
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
The dial clicking into place, the sudden spray hitting the wilting hydrangeas, and the fine arc of water against the sunlight.
Equipment settings
Examples of one named set
Members are 3–6 letters; first letters C, J, M, S.
GARDEN HOSE SETTINGS
One is CONE.
CONE · JET · MIST · SHOWER
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
The theme song playing through the living room speakers and the collective memory of a television show that defined a decade.
Pop culture icons
Each fills the same blank
Members are 4–7 letters; first letters G, M, S.
___ GIRLS OF POP CULTURE
One is GILMORE.
GILMORE · GOLDEN · MEAN · SPICE
Spoiler zone
Complete Connections answer
Open only the solution you want to see. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.
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Reveal the yellow group
CARPENTRY TOOLSCHISEL · HAMMER · PLANE · SAW
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Reveal the green group
KINDS OF MELONBITTER · MUSK · WATER · WINTER
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Reveal the blue group
GARDEN HOSE SETTINGSCONE · JET · MIST · SHOWER
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Reveal the violet group
___ GIRLS OF POP CULTUREGILMORE · GOLDEN · MEAN · SPICE
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on August 22, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Connections answer for August 22, 2026, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on August 22, 2026?
NYT Connections on August 22, 2026 rates 3 out of 4 on our difficulty scale — a tougher-than-average puzzle. As always you sort sixteen words into four colour-coded groups, and our hints tease what links each group without ever naming the words.
What's a spoiler-free hint for NYT Connections on August 22, 2026?
The hint ladder above starts with a one-line vibe for each of the four groups, then adds the connecting idea, then the wording of each category. You climb only as far as you need, and no grouped words are shown until the final reveal.
How many groups are in NYT Connections #1168?
Four groups of four, ordered from the gentlest to the trickiest. For the categories and the sixteen words themselves, open the answer section on this page — the hints here keep them hidden.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 4 groups · 16 words
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 4 groups · 16 words