NYT Connections Answer Today (#1194) β 17 Sep 2026 Solution & Hints
- About Today’s Connections
- The 16 Words
- Definitions of the 16 Words
- General Hints
- Category Titles
- One Word per Category
- Complete Solution (Click to Reveal)
About Today’s Connections
Puzzle #1194 (published September 17, 2026). Sort 16 words into four groups of four, based on a hidden connection. Some words look like they belong together and don’t β that’s by design.
The 16 Words
Here are the 16 words, sorted alphabetically to avoid spoilers:
- BOUNCE
- FLEXIBILITY
- FOUNTAIN
- GIVE
- HANDLES
- LANGUAGE
- MINE SHAFT
- PRESTIGE
- SEWER LINE
- SHEEP DETECTIVES
- SPRING
- SUBWAY STATION
- TAP
- TRIANGLE
- WELL
- WOLVERINE
Definitions of the 16 Words
| BOUNCE | The springy rebound quality something has after being compressed or dropped. |
| FLEXIBILITY | The capacity to bend or adapt without breaking. |
| FOUNTAIN | A structure that jets or sprays water, often as a decorative feature. |
| GIVE | The small amount of yield or flex a material offers under pressure. |
| HANDLES | Parts designed to be gripped, or, informally, ways of managing or coping with something. |
| LANGUAGE | A structured system of communication built from words, symbols, or gestures. |
| MINE SHAFT | A vertical or sloped passage dug deep into the earth to reach mineral deposits. |
| PRESTIGE | A widely recognized level of respect or admiration earned through achievement. |
| SEWER LINE | An underground pipe that carries wastewater away from buildings. |
| SHEEP DETECTIVES | Investigators β woolly ones, in this case β who solve mysteries in a story or film. |
| SPRING | A coiled piece of metal that stores and releases mechanical energy, or the season after winter. |
| SUBWAY STATION | A stop along an underground rail transit system where passengers board and exit trains. |
| TAP | A light strike, or a fixture that controls the flow of water from a pipe. |
| TRIANGLE | A three-sided geometric shape, or a small percussion instrument struck with a metal rod. |
| WELL | A deep hole dug into the ground to reach a water source. |
| WOLVERINE | A stocky, fierce mammal related to weasels, known for surprising strength relative to its size. |
General Hints
- Think about qualities a rubber band or a trampoline might have.
- Picture what you might find if you dug straight down beneath a city street.
- This foursome shares a leading man best known for playing a clawed superhero.
- Each answer follows the same short word for a strong romantic feeling.
Category Titles
- 🟨 Yellow: Elasticity
- 🟩 Green: Things That Are Underground
- 🟦 Blue: Hugh Jackman Movies, With "The"
- 🟪 Purple: Love ___
One Word per Category
- 🟨 Yellow: SPRING
- 🟩 Green: WELL
- 🟦 Blue: WOLVERINE
- 🟪 Purple: TRIANGLE
Complete Solution
The full breakdown is below β tap to reveal all four groups:
[CLICK TO REVEAL: Full Solution]
NYT Connections #1194 β Full Groups
- 🟨 Yellow: Elasticity → BOUNCE, FLEXIBILITY, GIVE, SPRING
- 🟩 Green: Things That Are Underground → MINE SHAFT, SEWER LINE, SUBWAY STATION, WELL
- 🟦 Blue: Hugh Jackman Movies, With "The" → FOUNTAIN, PRESTIGE, SHEEP DETECTIVES, WOLVERINE
- 🟪 Purple: Love ___ → HANDLES, LANGUAGE, TAP, TRIANGLE
The purple group is the classic trap here β TAP and HANDLES both sound like they could slot into the elasticity or underground groups before you notice they’re all “Love ___” phrases.
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