Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #1,161 hints and answers for Saturday, August 15, 2026

Edited by Wyna Liu · Groups listed easiest to hardest: yellow, green, blue, purple

Connections #1,161 puts four groups of four on the board, running from the yellow group through to purple. For each group below: read the hint first, then show the category name when you want it, then the four words.

Group 1 - Yellow

Hint: Watch the longer entries: at least one of these four is a multi-word phrase, which usually points at the shape of the category.

EXHAUSTED

BEAT · FRIED · SPENT · WORN OUT

Group 2 - Green

Hint: These four belong together for one clean reason. If two of them pair up in your head first, let the other two confirm it.

SEGMENT

LEG · PHASE · STAGE · STRETCH

Group 3 - Blue

Hint: Four words, one thread. Say each of the four out loud - the link is usually plainer than it looks.

ENDING IN UNITS OF LENGTH

CHAMOMILE · GRINCH · HOTFOOT · LANYARD

Group 4 - Purple

Hint: One thread ties these four together. It is a fair link, not a trick - think about what the words can all be or do.

ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR FOLLOW SECRETLY

BEANSTALK · EYESHADOW · HIGHTAIL · SOUNDTRACK

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "Sacred space"