NYT Connections Hints for August 16, 2026 — Puzzle #1162
Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.
Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1162 on August 16, 2026: how many groups there are, a masked theme for each group, then the four categories one at a time, then all sixteen words — the full solution stays hidden until you reveal it.
1. The shape of the puzzle
There are 4 categories of 4 words each (16 words total).
2. The four themes, masked
Each theme below keeps its word shapes and the first letter of every word:
M _ _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _F _ _ _ _ _ R _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ M _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _D _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ O _ _ H _ _ _ _ A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
Show theme 2
PARTICIPANT
Show theme 3
FAMILY RELATIONSHIP MODIFIERS
Show theme 4
DESCRIPTORS FOR OUR HUMAN ANCESTORS
NYT Connections answer for August 16, 2026 — puzzle #1162
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
CONCERT, SET, SHOW, GIG
PARTICIPANT
PARTY, ACTOR, PLAYER, AGENT
FAMILY RELATIONSHIP MODIFIERS
GRAND, HALF, STEP, GREAT
DESCRIPTORS FOR OUR HUMAN ANCESTORS
HANDY, UPRIGHT, WISE, FROM NEANDER
Frequently asked questions
The shape of the puzzle
There are 4 categories of 4 words each (16 words total).
The four themes, masked
Each theme below keeps its word shapes and the first letter of every word:M _ _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _F _ _ _ _ _ R _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ M _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _D _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ O _ _ H _ _ _ _ A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1MUSICAL PERFORMANCEShow theme 2PARTICIPANTShow theme 3FAMILY RELATIONSHIP MODIFIERSShow theme 4DESCRIPTORS FOR OUR HUMAN ANCESTORS
Recent NYT Connections puzzles
- September 20, 2026 — #1197
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- September 18, 2026 — #1195
- September 17, 2026 — #1194
- September 16, 2026 — #1193
- September 15, 2026 — #1192
- September 14, 2026 — #1191
- September 13, 2026 — #1190
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