Daily Puzzle Hints

NYT Connections Hints for September 17, 2026 — Puzzle #1194

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

Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1194 on September 17, 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 17, 2026 (2026-09-17) · #1194 · 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

ELASTICITY

Show theme 2

THINGS THAT ARE UNDERGROUND

Show theme 3

HUGH JACKMAN MOVIES, WITH "THE"

Show theme 4

LOVE ___

NYT Connections answer for September 17, 2026 — puzzle #1194

ELASTICITY

SPRING, GIVE, BOUNCE, FLEXIBILITY

THINGS THAT ARE UNDERGROUND

SUBWAY STATION, WELL, SEWER LINE, MINE SHAFT

HUGH JACKMAN MOVIES, WITH "THE"

PRESTIGE, FOUNTAIN, SHEEP DETECTIVES, WOLVERINE

LOVE ___

TRIANGLE, TAP, LANGUAGE, HANDLES

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:E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _T _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ A _ _ U _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _H _ _ _ J _ _ _ _ _ _ M _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ T _ _L _ _ _

Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1ELASTICITYShow theme 2THINGS THAT ARE UNDERGROUNDShow theme 3HUGH JACKMAN MOVIES, WITH "THE"Show theme 4LOVE ___

Recent NYT Connections puzzles

Next puzzle · Previous puzzle

This site is an independent hints page. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by The New York Times. Game names are used only to describe the games.