NYT Connections Answer

Another day, another challenge from the desk of Wyna Liu! If you’re tackling the August 15, 2026, puzzle, you might find that while the synonyms start off simple, the wordplay at the end requires a very keen eye for suffixes.

Today’s grid is a masterclass in how words can hide in plain sight. If you’re feeling a bit stuck, don't worry—I’ve broken down every NYT Connections hint and the full answer for 2026-08-15 below.

What’s the Vibe of Today’s Puzzle?

Today’s puzzle feels balanced. There is a very straightforward set of synonyms for being tired, a solid group involving parts of a process, and two "word-inside-a-word" categories that require looking at the ends of the strings.

If you’re looking for a strategy, try to find the synonyms for "tired" first to clear the board, then look at the compound words.

Yellow: EXHAUSTED

This category is the most accessible. These are all common, informal ways to say you have absolutely no energy left.

• Hints: How you feel after a double shift or a 10-mile hike.
• The Answer: BEAT, FRIED, SPENT, WORN OUT

Explanation: All four of these words are used colloquially to describe extreme fatigue. Whether you're "beat" after work or "fried" from studying, the meaning remains the same.

Green: SEGMENT

These words describe a specific portion of something larger, usually a journey, a race, or a long-term project.

• Hints: A specific period or part of a sequence. Think of a lap in a race or a chapter in a plan.
• The Answer: LEG, PHASE, STAGE, STRETCH

Explanation: While "Leg" and "Stretch" often refer to parts of a physical path (like a leg of a relay race), "Phase" and "Stage" are more frequently used for time-based progressions.

Blue: ENDING IN UNITS OF LENGTH

This is where things get clever. Don't look at what the words mean; look at how they are spelled, specifically their suffixes.

• Hints: Look at the last 3 to 4 letters of each word. They all relate to the Imperial measurement system.
• The Answer: CHAMOMILE, GRINCH, HOTFOOT, LANYARD

Explanation:

• Chamomile (Mile)
• Grinch (Inch)
• Hotfoot (Foot)
• Lanyard (Yard) Even though a Grinch is a Christmas curmudgeon and chamomile is a tea, they both hide a unit of length at the end!

Purple: ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR FOLLOW SECRETLY

As is tradition, the purple category is the trickiest. Similar to the blue category, you have to split these compound words apart.

• Hints: Each of these ends in a verb that a private investigator or a hunter might do.
• The Answer: BEANSTALK, EYESHADOW, HIGHTAIL, SOUNDTRACK

Explanation:

• Beanstalk (Stalk)
• Eyeshadow (Shadow)
• Hightail (Tail)
• Soundtrack (Track) To stalk, shadow, tail, or track someone all mean to follow them surreptitiously.

Summary of the Answer for 2026-08-15

If you just want to see the color-coded results:

• Yellow (Exhausted): BEAT, FRIED, SPENT, WORN OUT
• Green (Segment): LEG, PHASE, STAGE, STRETCH
• Blue (Ending in Units of Length): CHAMOMILE, GRINCH, HOTFOOT, LANYARD
• Purple (Ending in Synonyms for Follow Secretly): BEANSTALK, EYESHADOW, HIGHTAIL, SOUNDTRACK

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you play NYT Connections?

In Connections, you are given a grid of 16 words. Your goal is to organize them into four groups of four by finding a common thread between them. Each group is color-coded by difficulty: Yellow (easiest), Green, Blue, and Purple (hardest).

When does NYT Connections reset?

The New York Times releases a new Connections puzzle every day at midnight in your local time zone.

Can there be more than one correct answer?

No. While some words might seem to fit into multiple categories (this is called a "red herring"), there is only one unique solution where every word belongs to exactly one category.

Who is the editor of NYT Connections?

The game is edited by Wyna Liu, who is known for her creative and often pun-filled category themes.