Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #1,190 hints and answers for Sunday, September 13, 2026

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

Connections #1,190 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: Four words, one thread. Say each of the four out loud - the link is usually plainer than it looks.

LACKING IN FIRMNESS

DROOPY · FLACCID · SAGGING · SLACK

Group 2 - Green

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.

U.S. PRESIDENTS

CLEVELAND · GARFIELD · GRANT · MADISON

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.

WORDS THAT SOUND LIKE TWO LETTERS

EMPTY · EXCESS · KEWPIE · ODIE

Group 4 - Purple

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

ENDING IN ELEVATED LANDFORMS

DOUBLESPEAK · HEATHCLIFF · PARAMOUNT · PORRIDGE

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "Top secret"