Issue #1194 Thu 17 Sep
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — September 17, 2026
Today's grid requires a sharp eye for familiar phrases and a willingness to look past the obvious. Expect a steady climb toward the solution.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
The worn rubber band on a kitchen junk drawer, a trampoline in the backyard, or a mattress that has seen better days.
Physical properties
Synonyms
Members are 4–11 letters; first letters B, F, G, S.
ELASTICITY
One is BOUNCE.
BOUNCE · FLEXIBILITY · GIVE · SPRING
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
A dropped set of keys through a subway grate, the dark dampness of a basement, or the echo down a deep garden opening.
Subterranean locations
Items sharing one feature
Members are 4–14 letters; first letters M, S, W.
THINGS THAT ARE UNDERGROUND
One is MINE SHAFT.
MINE SHAFT · SEWER LINE · SUBWAY STATION · WELL
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
A movie poster in a dusty bin, a late-night cable broadcast, or the credits rolling after a weekend matinee.
Filmography
Examples of one named set
Members are 8–16 letters; first letters F, P, S, W.
HUGH JACKMAN MOVIES, WITH "THE"
One is FOUNTAIN.
FOUNTAIN · PRESTIGE · SHEEP DETECTIVES · WOLVERINE
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
A crumpled note passed in study hall, a song lyric scribbled on a napkin, or the sudden realization of a complicated situation.
Compound phrases
Each fills the same blank
Members are 3–8 letters; first letters H, L, T.
LOVE ___
One is HANDLES.
HANDLES · LANGUAGE · TAP · TRIANGLE
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
ELASTICITYBOUNCE · FLEXIBILITY · GIVE · SPRING
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Reveal the green group
THINGS THAT ARE UNDERGROUNDMINE SHAFT · SEWER LINE · SUBWAY STATION · WELL
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Reveal the blue group
HUGH JACKMAN MOVIES, WITH "THE"FOUNTAIN · PRESTIGE · SHEEP DETECTIVES · WOLVERINE
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Reveal the violet group
LOVE ___HANDLES · LANGUAGE · TAP · TRIANGLE
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on September 17, 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 17, 2026, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on September 17, 2026?
NYT Connections on September 17, 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 17, 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 #1194?
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