Daily Puzzle Hints

NYT Connections Hints for September 12, 2026 — Puzzle #1189

Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.

Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1189 on September 12, 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.

Puzzle date: September 12, 2026 (2026-09-12) · #1189 · Source: the official puzzle feed (official NYT feed), retrieved . Hints are derived from the official answer data — no invented clues, difficulty scores or word claims.

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:

3. Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1

WAYS TO PERSONALIZE A CAR

Show theme 2

PEOPLE IN AN ONLINE FORUM

Show theme 3

THINGS THAT BLINK

Show theme 4

___ ALERT

NYT Connections answer for September 12, 2026 — puzzle #1189

WAYS TO PERSONALIZE A CAR

BUMPER STICKER, VANITY PLATE, FUZZY DICE, HOOD ORNAMENT

PEOPLE IN AN ONLINE FORUM

POSTER, TROLL, SPAMMER, LURKER

THINGS THAT BLINK

TURN SIGNAL, CURSOR, SMOKE DETECTOR, EYELIDS

___ ALERT

WEATHER, SPOILER, NERD, RED

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:W _ _ _ T _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ A C _ _P _ _ _ _ _ I _ A _ O _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ _ _T _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ B _ _ _ _ A _ _ _ _

Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1WAYS TO PERSONALIZE A CARShow theme 2PEOPLE IN AN ONLINE FORUMShow theme 3THINGS THAT BLINKShow theme 4___ ALERT

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