Play Connections #1169
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 #1169 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
Handle these with care, because they could blow up at any moment.
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Green group hintGentle hint
Check the spelling, because each word hides a pair of identical neighbors.
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Blue group hintHelpful hint
Each of these relies on one humble, starchy underground staple.
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Purple group hintHelpful hint
Handy items kept in cabinets and pantries for cleaning up spots and spills.
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Where's the trap?Strong hint
The fizzy reaction between two common kitchen items makes cleaning supplies look like they belong with the things that blow up, and a clear spirit can double as a cleaner too.
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The four group namesStrong hint
- POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE THINGS
- DOUBLE VOWELS
- MADE WITH POTATOES
- HOUSEHOLD STAIN REMOVERS
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Difficulty: Medium. The spelling trick is easy to spot once you look, but the kitchen-related groups overlap enough to cause some missteps.
Connections #1169 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are all four groups for August 23, 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
POWDER KEG is in the yellow group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE THINGS.
Show all four words
POWDER KEG, TIME BOMB, TINDERBOX, VOLCANO
Show one word
ANTIFREEZE is in the green group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is DOUBLE VOWELS.
Show all four words
ANTIFREEZE, BAZAAR, SKIING, VACUUM
Show one word
HOME FRIES is in the blue group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is MADE WITH POTATOES.
Show all four words
HOME FRIES, POTATO BATTERY, VICHYSSOISE, VODKA
Show one word
BAKING SODA is in the purple group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is HOUSEHOLD STAIN REMOVERS.
Show all four words
BAKING SODA, CLUB SODA, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, VINEGAR
All four groups at once
Show all four groups
- POWDER KEG: A barrel of gunpowder that can blow at any spark.
- TIME BOMB: A device set to detonate at a certain moment.
- TINDERBOX: Dry, easily ignited material, or a volatile situation.
- VOLCANO: Can erupt violently with little warning.
- ANTIFREEZE: Has a double E in FREEZE.
- BAZAAR: Has a double A in the middle.
- SKIING: Has a double I.
- VACUUM: Has a double U.
- HOME FRIES: Pan-fried diced potatoes, a classic breakfast side.
- POTATO BATTERY: A science project powered by a potato.
- VICHYSSOISE: A cold soup made from leeks and potatoes.
- VODKA: Often distilled from fermented potatoes.
Purple group explained
- BAKING SODA: Used as a paste to scrub out stains.
- CLUB SODA: Poured on fresh spills like wine to lift them.
- HYDROGEN PEROXIDE: Bleaches out blood and other stubborn marks.
- VINEGAR: Acidic cleaner that breaks down many stains.
What does VICHYSSOISE mean?
A thick, creamy soup made from leeks, onions, potatoes, and cream, usually served cold. The name is French, from the city of Vichy, and the spelling trips up many people. It fits the potato group.
Recent Connections puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Purple group |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 22 | #1168 | ___ GIRLS OF POP CULTURE |
| Aug 21 | #1167 | ONCE IN A ___ |
| Aug 20 | #1166 | STARTING WITH CHINESE ZODIAC ANIMALS |
| Aug 19 | #1165 | HOMOPHONES OF CGI-ANIMATED FILMS |
| Aug 18 | #1164 | THINGS THAT ARE GRITTY |
| Aug 17 | #1163 | STARTING WITH PETS |
| Aug 16 | #1162 | DESCRIPTORS FOR OUR HUMAN ANCESTORS |
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 23
Connections #1169 questions
What were the Connections answers on August 23, 2026?
POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE THINGS: POWDER KEG, TIME BOMB, TINDERBOX, VOLCANO. DOUBLE VOWELS: ANTIFREEZE, BAZAAR, SKIING, VACUUM. MADE WITH POTATOES: HOME FRIES, POTATO BATTERY, VICHYSSOISE, VODKA. HOUSEHOLD STAIN REMOVERS: BAKING SODA, CLUB SODA, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, VINEGAR.
What was the purple group in Connections #1169?
HOUSEHOLD STAIN REMOVERS: BAKING SODA, CLUB SODA, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, VINEGAR.
What made Connections #1169 tricky?
The fizzy reaction between two common kitchen items makes cleaning supplies look like they belong with the things that blow up, and a clear spirit can double as a cleaner too.