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Verified archive for August 3, 2026 Spoiler-safePuzzle #1149

NYT Connections Hints and Answers for August 3, 2026

Connections puzzle 1149 combines two approachable semantic groups with two exacting wordplay groups built around unusual vowel patterns and concealed opening words.

Guide editorMaya BrooksSenior Editor

Start here

Take one step at a time

4 groups
Group 1Category hidden
Group 2Category hidden
Group 3Category hidden
Group 4Category hidden

Need more than a hint?

Get a spoiler-safe solving plan

Use three general checks to make progress without seeing a category or answer.

Open today’s solving plan
  1. Prefer an exact rule.A shared topic is only a lead. Look for four words connected in the same precise way.
  2. Find the least flexible word.Use the word with the narrowest meaning to place words that could belong in several groups.
  3. Test the grammar.If the leftovers look unrelated, try placing one common word before or after each answer.

Reveal guide

Choose only as much help as you need

Every group has its own ladder. Opening one level never exposes another group.

  1. 1
    Start with a small hint

    Get a gentle nudge without seeing the category or its words.

  2. 2
    Ask for a stronger hint

    Use a more specific clue before revealing the category.

  3. 3
    Reveal only what you choose

    Open the category, then the four words only when you are ready.

You remain in control. You can move between levels without revealing the rest of the puzzle.

Practice board guide

Try a group without risking your streak

This scratchpad checks your thinking locally. It never sends a guess to the official puzzle.

  1. 1
    Choose four words

    Tap any four tiles that share one precise connection.

  2. 2
    Check the set

    Once four are selected, press “Check these four.”

  3. 3
    Keep it or adjust

    A correct group is confirmed. If it misses, swap one word or open a hint.

Nothing here affects an official streak. Clear the board at any time and try another four.

Today’s puzzle explained

Connections 1149 overview

The board moves from direct vocabulary to orthographic and segmented-phrase wordplay. MYRRH and NSYNC make the vowel pattern visible, while NEEDLESS and TEA SET conceal their relevant openings especially well.

Overall difficultyHardBiggest trapSeveral words suggest ordinary objects, plants, or actions, while the two hardest groups depend on inspecting spelling and hidden word boundaries.Best first moveStart with ALLEY, BACKSTREET, BYWAY, and LANE, the most concrete set of related routes.

Why the board is deceptive

The clearest opening lies among four words for routes that are narrower, quieter, or less prominent than a main road.

After the two semantic groups are removed, inspect spelling and internal word boundaries instead of searching for another shared topic.

Open the clean solving route

One way through the board

Secure the road terms first, then collect the four recognized green shades. For the remaining eight entries, compare letters in FLY BY, MYRRH, NSYNC, and RHYTHM before splitting the longer phrases into meaningful openings.

Spoilers below

Today’s groups and answers

Each group stays hidden until you choose to open it. Reveal one at a time, or keep this section closed while you continue solving.

Quieter routesReveal this group

What connects ALLEY, BACKSTREET, BYWAY and LANE?

ALLEY · BACKSTREET · BYWAY · LANE

ROAD LESS TRAVELED. Each word can describe a narrow, secondary, or comparatively quiet route rather than a major thoroughfare.

Best anchor: Think beyond highways and main streets.

Green paletteReveal this group

What connects FOREST, HUNTER, MINT and SAGE?

FOREST · HUNTER · MINT · SAGE

SHADES OF GREEN. FOREST, HUNTER, MINT, and SAGE are all names used for distinct shades within the green color family.

Best anchor: Picture paint samples rather than literal objects.

Unusual vowel patternReveal this group

What connects FLY BY, MYRRH, NSYNC and RHYTHM?

FLY BY · MYRRH · NSYNC · RHYTHM

"Y" IS THE ONLY VOWEL. None of these entries contains A, E, I, O, or U; Y is the only letter serving as a vowel in each.

Best anchor: The connection is orthographic, not semantic.

Hidden opening synonymsReveal this group

What connects BUG FIX, NAG CHAMPA, NEEDLESS and TEA SET?

BUG FIX · NAG CHAMPA · NEEDLESS · TEA SET

STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "PESTER". The entries begin with BUG, NAG, NEEDLE, and TEASE, four verbs that can mean to pester someone.

Best anchor: Ignore the displayed spaces and resegment the openings.

Today’s supporting guides

Why the trickiest words belong together

These focused articles go beyond the answer: they explain the exact relationship, the convincing red herrings and how to recognize the pattern again.

Supporting clue guideConnections 1149: The Road Less Traveled GroupExplain this connection Supporting clue guideConnections 1149: Shades of Green ExplainedExplain this connection Supporting clue guideConnections 1149: Y Is the Only VowelExplain this connection Supporting clue guideConnections 1149: Words Starting With Pester SynonymsExplain this connection Supporting clue guideDefinitions for all 16 puzzle wordsExplain this connection

Browse every Connections clue explainer →

How to solve this Connections puzzle

The thinking route, not just the answers

Use today’s anchor words as a repeatable method: secure an exact group, remove it, and let the remaining board become more specific.

  1. 1
    ROAD LESS TRAVELED

    Think beyond highways and main streets.

  2. 2
    SHADES OF GREEN

    Picture paint samples rather than literal objects.

  3. 3
    "Y" IS THE ONLY VOWEL

    The connection is orthographic, not semantic.

  4. 4
    STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "PESTER"

    Ignore the displayed spaces and resegment the openings.

Mental model to reuse tomorrow

Exact relationship beats shared topic

Weak rule“These words feel related.”A broad topic can support several tempting but unstable groups.

Strong rule“The same test works for all four.”One precise relationship should explain every answer in the same way.

Today’s best first move: Start with ALLEY, BACKSTREET, BYWAY, and LANE, the most concrete set of related routes..

Build your solving vocabulary

Four anchors worth spotting

An anchor is the least flexible word in a possible group. It often exposes the intended relationship before the more ambiguous words do.

Easy groupQuieter routes
ROAD LESS TRAVELED: Think beyond highways and main streets.
Moderate groupGreen palette
SHADES OF GREEN: Picture paint samples rather than literal objects.
Hard groupUnusual vowel pattern
"Y" IS THE ONLY VOWEL: The connection is orthographic, not semantic.
Very hard groupHidden opening synonyms
STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "PESTER": Ignore the displayed spaces and resegment the openings.

Language background

Useful guides for today’s wordplay

These independent language explainers add definition, origin or usage context where it genuinely helps.

Language guideBug Fix Meaning: Definition, Usage, and Connections Wordplay

Go deeper on this word or phrase without duplicating the puzzle explanation.

Read the language guide Language guideNag Champa Meaning: Incense, Usage, and Connections Context

Go deeper on this word or phrase without duplicating the puzzle explanation.

Read the language guide

Questions players ask

Connections help without extra spoilers

I’m stuck. Which hint should I open first?

Start with the small hint for the group you feel closest to solving. Use the stronger hint only if the first nudge is not enough, then reveal the category or four words when you want confirmation.

What should I do when five words seem to belong together?

Assume one is a red herring. Look for the word with a strong second meaning, then test whether it forms a cleaner group elsewhere.

What does “Test a group” do?

Select four words and choose “Check these four” to see whether your grouping works. It stays on this page and never submits a guess to the official puzzle or affects a streak.

Do I need to solve the groups in difficulty order?

No. Start with the clearest exact set. Removing an obvious group often exposes the overlapping meanings and wordplay in the harder groups.

Can I check one answer without spoiling the whole puzzle?

Yes. Every group opens independently, so you can reveal one hint, category or set of four words while keeping the other groups hidden.

About the guide editor

Maya Brooks

Maya focuses on exact category logic, ambiguous overlaps and hints that help without giving the group away.

Read Maya’s profile →