NYT Connections Hints for August 28, 2026 — Puzzle #1174
Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.
Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1174 on August 28, 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:
B _ _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ _P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _M _ _ _ _ _ A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ _ _T _ _ O _ T _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
BEDTIME PARTING WORDS
Show theme 2
PALINDROMES
Show theme 3
MODERN ADD-ONS/COMBINING FORMS
Show theme 4
TOP OF THE ___
NYT Connections answer for August 28, 2026 — puzzle #1174
BEDTIME PARTING WORDS
SWEET DREAMS, NIGHT, REST EASY, SLEEP TIGHT
PALINDROMES
TOP SPOT, NOON, MOM, SIS
MODERN ADD-ONS/COMBINING FORMS
ERA, BRO, MAXXING, CODED
TOP OF THE ___
MORNING, POPS, HOUR, LINE
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:B _ _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ _P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _M _ _ _ _ _ A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ _ _T _ _ O _ T _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1BEDTIME PARTING WORDSShow theme 2PALINDROMESShow theme 3MODERN ADD-ONS/COMBINING FORMSShow theme 4TOP OF THE ___
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