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Verified archive for August 13, 2026 Spoiler-safePuzzle #1159

NYT Connections Hints and Answers for August 13, 2026

Connections puzzle #1159 for August 13, 2026 combines perseverance terms, gradual movement, airline status perks and words that complete familiar idioms beginning with "cold."

Guide editorEthan ParkEditor

Start here

Take one step at a time

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

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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

August 13, 2026 Connections Overview

The group descriptions follow the verified category titles literally. Difficulty references only the official yellow, green, blue and purple order.

Overall difficultyThe verified sequence moves from the yellow PERSEVERE group through green and blue to the purple idiom group.Biggest trapMILES, INCH and FEET can suggest measurement language, but they resolve into AIRLINE STATUS PERKS, MOVE SLOWLY (UP TO) and "COLD" THINGS, IN IDIOMS, respectively. With no fourth verified member, that proposed set cannot complete.Best first moveStart with CARRY ON, CONTINUE, MAKE IT and PERSIST. All four preserve the official PERSEVERE relationship without requiring a narrower interpretation.

Why the board is deceptive

The yellow and green groups are both verb-centered, but one concerns perseverance while the other describes moving slowly up to something.

The blue group uses airline status language, while the purple group asks what can follow COLD in four separate idiomatic expressions.

Open the clean solving route

One way through the board

Secure the four perseverance terms first, then separate the gradual-motion verbs. The remaining airline terms leave COMFORT, FEET, SHOULDER and TURKEY for the shared COLD construction.

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.

Keep GoingReveal this group

What connects CARRY ON, CONTINUE, MAKE IT and PERSIST?

CARRY ON · CONTINUE · MAKE IT · PERSIST

PERSEVERE. CARRY ON, CONTINUE, MAKE IT and PERSIST all satisfy the official relationship PERSEVERE.

Best anchor: CONTINUE and PERSIST provide a direct route into the category.

Approach GraduallyReveal this group

What connects CREEP, EASE, EDGE and INCH?

CREEP · EASE · EDGE · INCH

MOVE SLOWLY (UP TO). CREEP, EASE, EDGE and INCH each fit the official relationship MOVE SLOWLY (UP TO).

Best anchor: Picture someone approaching a position in small, controlled movements.

Traveler BenefitsReveal this group

What connects CHECKED BAGS, LOUNGE, MILES and UPGRADE?

CHECKED BAGS · LOUNGE · MILES · UPGRADE

AIRLINE STATUS PERKS. CHECKED BAGS, LOUNGE, MILES and UPGRADE are the four entries in the official AIRLINE STATUS PERKS category.

Best anchor: MILES and UPGRADE help establish the airline-status context.

After ColdReveal this group

What connects COMFORT, FEET, SHOULDER and TURKEY?

COMFORT · FEET · SHOULDER · TURKEY

"COLD" THINGS, IN IDIOMS. COMFORT, FEET, SHOULDER and TURKEY each complete the official pattern "COLD" THINGS, IN IDIOMS.

Best anchor: Place COLD directly before each of the four official words.

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 guideAugust 13, 2026 Connections: PERSEVERE WordsExplain this connection Supporting clue guideAugust 13, 2026 Connections: MOVE SLOWLY (UP TO)Explain this connection Supporting clue guideAugust 13, 2026 Connections: AIRLINE STATUS PERKSExplain this connection Supporting clue guideAugust 13, 2026 Connections: "COLD" Things in IdiomsExplain 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
    PERSEVERE

    CONTINUE and PERSIST provide a direct route into the category.

  2. 2
    MOVE SLOWLY (UP TO)

    Picture someone approaching a position in small, controlled movements.

  3. 3
    AIRLINE STATUS PERKS

    MILES and UPGRADE help establish the airline-status context.

  4. 4
    "COLD" THINGS, IN IDIOMS

    Place COLD directly before each of the four official words.

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 CARRY ON, CONTINUE, MAKE IT and PERSIST. All four preserve the official PERSEVERE relationship without requiring a narrower interpretation..

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.

Yellow-tier group in the verified color order. groupKeep Going
PERSEVERE: CONTINUE and PERSIST provide a direct route into the category.
Green-tier group in the verified color order. groupApproach Gradually
MOVE SLOWLY (UP TO): Picture someone approaching a position in small, controlled movements.
Blue-tier group in the verified color order. groupTraveler Benefits
AIRLINE STATUS PERKS: MILES and UPGRADE help establish the airline-status context.
Purple-tier group in the verified color order. groupAfter Cold
"COLD" THINGS, IN IDIOMS: Place COLD directly before each of the four official words.

Language background

Useful guides for today’s wordplay

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

Language guideEase Meaning: Comfort, Relief and Gentle Movement

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

Read the language guide Language guideLounge Meaning: A Waiting Room or a Way to Relax

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

Read the language guide Language guideMiles Meaning: Distance and Airline Loyalty Rewards

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

Ethan Park

Ethan turns word patterns and solving routes into concise, accessible guidance for daily players.

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