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Verified archive for August 14, 2026 Spoiler-safePuzzle #1160

NYT Connections #1160 Hints & Answers (August 14, 2026)

Connections #1160 for August 14, 2026 combines black-and-yellow sights, places where people think alike, comic-book drawing tools and logos built around triangles. Reveal each group only when you need it.

Guide editorSofia RamirezEditor

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

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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.

August 14, 2026 puzzle explained

The August 14 board mixes things you see and things you use

Do not treat every concrete object as one category. Two groups are linked by appearance, one by a metaphor for consensus, and one by an artist’s workflow.

Overall difficultyVisual associations and specialist toolsBiggest trapBUMBLEBEE can suggest HIVEMIND through a hive association, but the two answers belong to different exact categories.Best first moveStart with BUMBLEBEE, CAUTION TAPE, CHARLIE BROWN and WOLVERINE as black-and-yellow examples.

Why the board is deceptive

The first group is visual: a bumblebee, caution tape and Charlie Brown’s shirt show black and yellow, while Wolverine’s yellow costume has black striping. The last group also relies on appearance, this time on triangular logos.

Between those visual sets sit a metaphorical group about shared thinking and a technical group of comic-book art materials. Words such as BUBBLE and SILO invite ordinary physical readings before the intended social meanings become clear.

Open the clean solving route

One way through the board

Take BUMBLEBEE, CAUTION TAPE, CHARLIE BROWN and WOLVERINE as the black-and-yellow set. Group BUBBLE, ECHO CHAMBER, HIVEMIND and SILO as places or states of shared thinking. BRISTOL BOARD, DIP PEN, INDIA INK and STRAIGHTEDGE are comic-book tools. BASS ALE, CITGO, DELTA AIR LINES and GOOGLE DRIVE remain as triangle-logo examples.

Spoilers below

August 14, 2026 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.

Black and yellowReveal this group

What connects BUMBLEBEE, CAUTION TAPE, CHARLIE BROWN and WOLVERINE?

BUMBLEBEE · CAUTION TAPE · CHARLIE BROWN · WOLVERINE

BLACK-AND-YELLOW. A BUMBLEBEE and CAUTION TAPE commonly show black and yellow. CHARLIE BROWN’s zigzag shirt and WOLVERINE’s yellow costume with black striping supply the same pairing.

Best anchor: CAUTION TAPE is the clearest anchor because its conspicuous black-and-yellow design is its defining visual feature.

Shared thinkingReveal this group

What connects BUBBLE, ECHO CHAMBER, HIVEMIND and SILO?

BUBBLE · ECHO CHAMBER · HIVEMIND · SILO

PLACES WHERE EVERYONE THINKS THE SAME WAYS. BUBBLE, ECHO CHAMBER, HIVEMIND and SILO can all describe settings or states where similar opinions circulate and outside views have limited influence.

Best anchor: ECHO CHAMBER is the strongest anchor because it directly names a setting in which the same ideas repeat.

Comic-book art toolsReveal this group

What connects BRISTOL BOARD, DIP PEN, INDIA INK and STRAIGHTEDGE?

BRISTOL BOARD · DIP PEN · INDIA INK · STRAIGHTEDGE

COMIC BOOK ARTIST'S TOOLS. BRISTOL BOARD provides sturdy drawing paper, a DIP PEN applies INDIA INK, and a STRAIGHTEDGE guides ruled lines. All four are tools or materials for comic-book art.

Best anchor: INDIA INK is a practical anchor because inking is a recognizable part of traditional comics production.

Triangle logosReveal this group

What connects BASS ALE, CITGO, DELTA AIR LINES and GOOGLE DRIVE?

BASS ALE · CITGO · DELTA AIR LINES · GOOGLE DRIVE

TRIANGLE LOGOS. BASS ALE, CITGO, DELTA AIR LINES and GOOGLE DRIVE have recognizable logos featuring triangular shapes. The relationship is visual rather than linguistic.

Best anchor: GOOGLE DRIVE is a useful anchor because its multicolored triangular icon is easy to picture.

How to solve this Connections puzzle

The thinking route, not just the answers

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

  1. 1
    BLACK-AND-YELLOW

    CAUTION TAPE is the clearest anchor because its conspicuous black-and-yellow design is its defining visual feature.

  2. 2
    PLACES WHERE EVERYONE THINKS THE SAME WAYS

    ECHO CHAMBER is the strongest anchor because it directly names a setting in which the same ideas repeat.

  3. 3
    COMIC BOOK ARTIST'S TOOLS

    INDIA INK is a practical anchor because inking is a recognizable part of traditional comics production.

  4. 4
    TRIANGLE LOGOS

    GOOGLE DRIVE is a useful anchor because its multicolored triangular icon is easy to picture.

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.

This puzzle’s best first move: Start with BUMBLEBEE, CAUTION TAPE, CHARLIE BROWN and WOLVERINE as black-and-yellow examples..

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.

Gentle groupBlack and yellow
BLACK-AND-YELLOW: CAUTION TAPE is the clearest anchor because its conspicuous black-and-yellow design is its defining visual feature.
Moderate groupShared thinking
PLACES WHERE EVERYONE THINKS THE SAME WAYS: ECHO CHAMBER is the strongest anchor because it directly names a setting in which the same ideas repeat.
Tricky groupComic-book art tools
COMIC BOOK ARTIST'S TOOLS: INDIA INK is a practical anchor because inking is a recognizable part of traditional comics production.
Most difficult groupTriangle logos
TRIANGLE LOGOS: GOOGLE DRIVE is a useful anchor because its multicolored triangular icon is easy to picture.

Questions players ask

Questions about this puzzle

What makes Connections #1160 tricky?

BUMBLEBEE can suggest HIVEMIND through a hive association, but the two answers belong to different exact categories.

Where should I start with the August 14, 2026 puzzle?

Start with BUMBLEBEE, CAUTION TAPE, CHARLIE BROWN and WOLVERINE as black-and-yellow examples.

About the guide editor

Sofia Ramirez

Sofia verifies puzzle dates, public numbers, source facts and the archive details that keep daily guides reliable.

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