Play Connections #1172
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 #1172 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
These are exclamations a magician might make when finishing a trick.
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Green group hintGentle hint
Each of these describes something you are naturally good at.
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Blue group hintHelpful hint
Each of these can be abbreviated with the same single letter.
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Purple group hintHelpful hint
Each of these can follow a word for something that opens a lock.
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Where's the trap?Strong hint
Four of the words are Italian musical terms, which tempts you to group them, but they are actually spread across three different groups.
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The four group namesStrong hint
- "THERE YOU HAVE IT!"
- KNACK
- WHAT "P" MIGHT STAND FOR
- KEY ___
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Difficulty: Medium. The musical overlap and the single-letter category take some sorting out, but the other two groups are fairly straightforward.
Connections #1172 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are all four groups for August 26, 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
BEHOLD is in the yellow group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is "THERE YOU HAVE IT!".
Show all four words
BEHOLD, PRESTO, SHAZAM, VOILÀ
Show one word
FORTE is in the green group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is KNACK.
Show all four words
FORTE, GIFT, STRENGTH, TALENT
Show one word
PAGE is in the blue group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is WHAT "P" MIGHT STAND FOR.
Show all four words
PAGE, PARK, PHOSPHORUS, PIANO
Show one word
CHAIN is in the purple group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is KEY ___.
Show all four words
CHAIN, LARGO, LIME, SIGNATURE
All four groups at once
Show all four groups
- BEHOLD: A dramatic way to say 'look at this!'
- PRESTO: A classic magician's exclamation after a trick.
- SHAZAM: A magical exclamation of sudden transformation.
- VOILÀ: French for 'there it is!'
- FORTE: A person's strong suit or specialty.
- GIFT: A natural ability.
- STRENGTH: An area where someone excels.
- TALENT: Natural aptitude for something.
- PAGE: Abbreviated as p. in citations.
- PARK: Shown as P on signs and maps.
- PHOSPHORUS: Its chemical symbol is P.
- PIANO: Marked p in sheet music for 'softly'.
Purple group explained
- CHAIN: A key chain holds your keys.
- LARGO: Key Largo is a Florida island and a film.
- LIME: Key lime pie is a tart dessert.
- SIGNATURE: A key signature shows sharps and flats in music.
What does LARGO mean?
A musical direction meaning to play very slowly and broadly, in a dignified manner. Here it fits 'Key ___' as Key Largo, the Florida island and the title of a classic 1948 film.
Recent Connections puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Purple group |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 25 | #1171 | ENDING IN ICE CREAM ORDERS |
| Aug 24 | #1170 | LETTER HOMOPHONE PLUS TENNIS TERM |
| Aug 23 | #1169 | HOUSEHOLD STAIN REMOVERS |
| 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 |
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 26
Connections #1172 questions
What were the Connections answers on August 26, 2026?
"THERE YOU HAVE IT!": BEHOLD, PRESTO, SHAZAM, VOILÀ. KNACK: FORTE, GIFT, STRENGTH, TALENT. WHAT "P" MIGHT STAND FOR: PAGE, PARK, PHOSPHORUS, PIANO. KEY ___: CHAIN, LARGO, LIME, SIGNATURE.
What was the purple group in Connections #1172?
KEY ___: CHAIN, LARGO, LIME, SIGNATURE.
What made Connections #1172 tricky?
Four of the words are Italian musical terms, which tempts you to group them, but they are actually spread across three different groups.