Issue #1178 Tue 1 Sep
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — September 1, 2026
Today's grid offers a steady climb for those who appreciate a bit of character study. Keep your eyes sharp as the associations shift from the literary to the literal.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
A raised hand in a crowded room or a solemn nod across a table to confirm a secret deal.
Idiomatic expressions
Colloquial synonyms
Members are 6–14 letters; first letters C, F, O, P.
"I PROMISE!"
One is CROSS MY HEART.
CROSS MY HEART · FOR REAL · ON GOD · PINKY SWEAR
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
The clutter of a junk drawer where a stray plastic sliver meets a forgotten sporting implement.
Physical objects
Items sharing one feature
Members are 5–13 letters; first letters A, G, P, S.
LONG, SKINNY THINGS OFTEN SEEN TOGETHER
One is ARROW.
ARROW · GOLF CLUB · PICK-UP STICK · SPAGHETTO
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
A worn paperback on a nightstand, its spine cracked from years of mid-century mystery solving.
Literary figures
Examples of one named set
Members are 9–15 letters; first letters H, M, S.
PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS OF FICTION
One is HERCULE POIROT.
HERCULE POIROT · MIKE HAMMER · SAM SPADE · SHERLOCK HOLMES
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
A handwritten note left on the counter where the first few characters hint at an unfinished task.
Wordplay group
Each starts with a hidden item
Members are 10–12 letters; first letters A, H, P, W.
STARTING WITH WORDS OF INTENTION
One is AIMEE MANN.
AIMEE MANN · HOPE DIAMOND · PLANETARIUM · WISHY-WASHY
Spoiler zone
Complete Connections answer
Open only the solution you want to see. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.
-
Reveal the yellow group
"I PROMISE!"CROSS MY HEART · FOR REAL · ON GOD · PINKY SWEAR
-
Reveal the green group
LONG, SKINNY THINGS OFTEN SEEN TOGETHERARROW · GOLF CLUB · PICK-UP STICK · SPAGHETTO
-
Reveal the blue group
PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS OF FICTIONHERCULE POIROT · MIKE HAMMER · SAM SPADE · SHERLOCK HOLMES
-
Reveal the violet group
STARTING WITH WORDS OF INTENTIONAIMEE MANN · HOPE DIAMOND · PLANETARIUM · WISHY-WASHY
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on September 1, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Connections answer for September 1, 2026, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on September 1, 2026?
NYT Connections on September 1, 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 September 1, 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 #1178?
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