Play Connections #1161
These are the 16 words in the order NYT shows them. Tap four words you think belong together and press Submit. You get four mistakes, and we'll tell you when you are one word away. Nothing is saved, so you can practise without touching your real streak.
Connections #1161 hints
Yellow is usually the easiest group and purple the trickiest. Start with one colour and see if the rest falls into place.
Hints used: 0
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Yellow group hintGentle hint
Think of how you feel after a marathon day with no energy left.
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Green group hintGentle hint
One part of a multi-part race, trip, or process.
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Blue group hintHelpful hint
Look at the last few letters for old-school measurements you might find on a ruler or a football field.
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Purple group hintHelpful hint
The endings are verbs a detective might use for pursuing someone quietly.
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Where's the trap?Strong hint
HOTFOOT and the word for part of a relay both bring body parts to mind, and several other words feel like they belong to a theater or music theme, which can pull you into the wrong groups.
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The four group namesStrong hint
- EXHAUSTED
- SEGMENT
- ENDING IN UNITS OF LENGTH
- ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR FOLLOW SECRETLY
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Difficulty: Medium. The tired group and the section group are easy to spot, but the two groups built on word endings take a closer look, especially the sneaky one.
Connections #1161 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are all four groups for August 15, 2026, with why each word fits.
Reveal one group at a time
Each colour opens in three steps: one word from the group, then the group name, then all four words. Stop as soon as you can finish it yourself.
Show one word
BEAT is in the yellow group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is EXHAUSTED.
Show all four words
BEAT, FRIED, SPENT, WORN OUT
Show one word
LEG is in the green group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is SEGMENT.
Show all four words
LEG, PHASE, STAGE, STRETCH
Show one word
CHAMOMILE is in the blue group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is ENDING IN UNITS OF LENGTH.
Show all four words
CHAMOMILE, GRINCH, HOTFOOT, LANYARD
Show one word
BEANSTALK is in the purple group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR FOLLOW SECRETLY.
Show all four words
BEANSTALK, EYESHADOW, HIGHTAIL, SOUNDTRACK
All four groups at once
Show all four groups
- BEAT: Slang for totally tired out.
- FRIED: Slang for mentally drained and burned out.
- SPENT: Used up, with no energy left.
- WORN OUT: Tired from too much effort.
- LEG: One section of a relay or a trip.
- PHASE: A distinct step in a longer process.
- STAGE: One step in a series, like a race stage.
- STRETCH: A continuous section of a road or a period of time.
- CHAMOMILE: Ends in MILE.
- GRINCH: Ends in INCH.
- HOTFOOT: Ends in FOOT.
- LANYARD: Ends in YARD.
Purple group explained
- BEANSTALK: Ends in STALK, to pursue stealthily.
- EYESHADOW: Ends in SHADOW, to trail someone.
- HIGHTAIL: Ends in TAIL, to follow closely.
- SOUNDTRACK: Ends in TRACK, to follow someone's trail.
What does GRINCH mean?
A bright green, grumpy fictional creature from Dr. Seuss who tries to ruin Christmas for the Whos. Here it hides INCH at the end, which is a unit of length.
What does HIGHTAIL mean?
To run or leave quickly. It can also mean to follow closely, as in tailing someone. Here the TAIL at the end is the hidden synonym for following secretly.
What does LANYARD mean?
A short cord worn around the neck or wrist to hold a whistle, keys, or an ID badge. Here it hides YARD at the end, a unit of length.
Recent Connections puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Purple group |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 14 | #1160 | TRIANGLE LOGOS |
| Aug 13 | #1159 | "COLD" THINGS, IN IDIOMS |
| Aug 12 | #1158 | STARTING WITH AFFIRMATIVE RESPONSES |
| Aug 11 | #1157 | HOMOPHONES OF FACIAL FEATURES |
| Aug 10 | #1156 | FAMOUS GOATEES |
| Aug 9 | #1155 | THINGS PEOPLE TRY TO GET OUT OF |
| Aug 8 | #1154 | SAFETY ___ |
About Connections
Connections is a daily New York Times puzzle where you sort 16 words into four groups of four. Groups are colour-coded from yellow, the most direct, to purple, which usually relies on wordplay. You can make four mistakes. Looking back at past puzzles is one of the best ways to learn the kinds of tricks the editors like to use.
Other puzzles on Aug 15
Connections #1161 questions
What were the Connections answers on August 15, 2026?
EXHAUSTED: BEAT, FRIED, SPENT, WORN OUT. SEGMENT: LEG, PHASE, STAGE, STRETCH. ENDING IN UNITS OF LENGTH: CHAMOMILE, GRINCH, HOTFOOT, LANYARD. ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR FOLLOW SECRETLY: BEANSTALK, EYESHADOW, HIGHTAIL, SOUNDTRACK.
What was the purple group in Connections #1161?
ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR FOLLOW SECRETLY: BEANSTALK, EYESHADOW, HIGHTAIL, SOUNDTRACK.
What made Connections #1161 tricky?
HOTFOOT and the word for part of a relay both bring body parts to mind, and several other words feel like they belong to a theater or music theme, which can pull you into the wrong groups.