Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #1,181 hints and answers for Friday, September 4, 2026

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

Connections #1,181 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.

SPHERICAL THINGS

BOWLING BALL · EYE · MOON · ORANGE

Group 2 - Green

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.

FOOD WHOSE NAME IS TWO FOODS

CAKE DONUT · CANDY CORN · CHERRY TOMATO · PIZZA PIE

Group 3 - Blue

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.

KINDS OF EELS

CONGER · GULPER · MORAY · RIBBON

Group 4 - Purple

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

ACCESSORIES INSIDE STARTING AND ENDING LETTERS

CRINGY · OPINE · STIED · THAT'S

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "To the rescue"