Play Connections #1162
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 #1162 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 a night out to hear live tunes.
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Green group hintGentle hint
Each of these is someone with a hand in what is going on.
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Blue group hintHelpful hint
These prefixes change how a relative is connected to you.
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Purple group hintHelpful hint
Labels you might see in a museum exhibit about prehistoric people.
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Where's the trap?Strong hint
Several words can also describe types of pianos, which tempts you to group them together even though they belong in different sets.
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The four group namesStrong hint
- MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
- PARTICIPANT
- FAMILY RELATIONSHIP MODIFIERS
- DESCRIPTORS FOR OUR HUMAN ANCESTORS
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Difficulty: Medium. The first three groups are familiar, but the last one depends on knowing what some scientific names for early people actually mean.
Connections #1162 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are all four groups for August 16, 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
CONCERT is in the yellow group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is MUSICAL PERFORMANCE.
Show all four words
CONCERT, GIG, SET, SHOW
Show one word
ACTOR is in the green group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is PARTICIPANT.
Show all four words
ACTOR, AGENT, PARTY, PLAYER
Show one word
GRAND is in the blue group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is FAMILY RELATIONSHIP MODIFIERS.
Show all four words
GRAND, GREAT, HALF, STEP
Show one word
FROM NEANDER is in the purple group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is DESCRIPTORS FOR OUR HUMAN ANCESTORS.
Show all four words
FROM NEANDER, HANDY, UPRIGHT, WISE
All four groups at once
Show all four groups
- CONCERT: A live event where musicians perform for an audience.
- GIG: A band's booked live appearance.
- SET: The group of songs a band plays in one performance.
- SHOW: A live musical event put on for a crowd.
- ACTOR: Someone who takes part in a play or an event.
- AGENT: One who acts as a participant on another's behalf.
- PARTY: A side taking part in a contract or dispute.
- PLAYER: Someone who takes part in a game or activity.
- GRAND: Goes before parent or child, as in grandparent.
- GREAT: Adds a generation, as in great-aunt.
- HALF: Means one shared parent, as in half-brother.
- STEP: Means related through a parent's marriage.
Purple group explained
- FROM NEANDER: Neanderthal means 'from Neander' valley.
- HANDY: Homo habilis means 'handy man'.
- UPRIGHT: Homo erectus means 'upright man'.
- WISE: Homo sapiens means 'wise man'.
What does FROM NEANDER mean?
The literal meaning of 'neanderthalensis', the species name for Neanderthals, who were named after the Neander Valley in Germany where their remains were first found. It fits with the translated Latin names of other early humans.'
Recent Connections puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Purple group |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 15 | #1161 | ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR FOLLOW SECRETLY |
| 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 |
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 16
Connections #1162 questions
What were the Connections answers on August 16, 2026?
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: CONCERT, GIG, SET, SHOW. PARTICIPANT: ACTOR, AGENT, PARTY, PLAYER. FAMILY RELATIONSHIP MODIFIERS: GRAND, GREAT, HALF, STEP. DESCRIPTORS FOR OUR HUMAN ANCESTORS: FROM NEANDER, HANDY, UPRIGHT, WISE.
What was the purple group in Connections #1162?
DESCRIPTORS FOR OUR HUMAN ANCESTORS: FROM NEANDER, HANDY, UPRIGHT, WISE.
What made Connections #1162 tricky?
Several words can also describe types of pianos, which tempts you to group them together even though they belong in different sets.