NYT Connections Answer

September 10, 2026

🧩 Today's Puzzle

CATIO
ALTERNATING CURRENT
LEAD
CLOTHESLINE
ATLANTIC CITY
REPRESENT
AIR CONDITIONER
ADULT CONTEMPORARY
ACTINIUM
SEXTANT
BADLANDS
SULFUR
THUNDER ROAD
FLOWER BOX
KRYPTON
BORN TO RUN

✅ NytConnections Solution

CHEMICAL ELEMENTS
ACTINIUM, KRYPTON, LEAD, SULFUR
WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE STICKING OUT OF A WINDOW
AIR CONDITIONER, CATIO, CLOTHESLINE, FLOWER BOX
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN CLASSICS
ATLANTIC CITY, BADLANDS, BORN TO RUN, THUNDER ROAD
ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR "HAPPENING NOW"
ADULT CONTEMPORARY, ALTERNATING CURRENT, REPRESENT, SEXTANT

Another day, another grid! If you’re tackling the NYT Connections puzzle for September 10, 2026, you might find yourself hummed a few classic rock tunes or brushing up on your high school chemistry. Today’s puzzle, curated by Wyna Liu, offers a satisfying mix of straightforward trivia and clever linguistic wordplay.

Whether you are one away from a "Perfect" score or just need a little nudge to get through the Purple category, here is the NYT Connections hint and answer for 2026-09-10.

Today's Hints: September 10, 2026

Before we reveal the full solution, here are some nudges to help you solve it on your own:

  • Yellow Category Hint: Think back to the Periodic Table. These are all pure substances.
  • Green Category Hint: Walk down a busy city street and look up at the apartment buildings. What's poking out of the frames?
  • Blue Category Hint: You might want to cue up some classic rock from "The Boss."
  • Purple Category Hint: Look at the suffixes or the ends of these words. They all share a meaning related to "this very moment."

Yellow: Chemical Elements

This was the most straightforward group today. While the elements range from common to slightly more obscure, they don't have double meanings that distract you too much.

  • ACTINIUM
  • KRYPTON
  • LEAD
  • SULFUR

Why they fit: Each of these is a distinct chemical element found on the periodic table. Even if you aren't a scientist, Krypton (Superman's weakness) and Lead are likely familiar!

Green: What You Might See Sticking Out of a Window

This category required a bit of visualization. It describes items that are often mounted or positioned to extend outside a window frame.

  • AIR CONDITIONER
  • CATIO
  • CLOTHESLINE
  • FLOWER BOX

Why they fit: These are all external attachments for windows. A Catio (a patio for cats) is a fun modern addition to this list—it's an enclosed space that lets indoor cats enjoy the outdoors safely.

Blue: Bruce Springsteen Classics

If you're a fan of New Jersey's finest, this category was a breeze. If not, you might have struggled with some of the more geographic-sounding names.

  • ATLANTIC CITY
  • BADLANDS
  • BORN TO RUN
  • THUNDER ROAD

Why they fit: These are four of the most iconic songs by Bruce Springsteen. "Born to Run" and "Thunder Road" are quintessential rock anthems that helped define his career.

Purple: Ending in Synonyms for "Happening Now"

This was a classic Purple category. The connection isn't about the words themselves, but rather a hidden word buried within them—specifically at the end.

  • ADULT CONTEMPORARY (Contemporary)
  • ALTERNATING CURRENT (Current)
  • REPRESENT (Present)
  • SEXTANT (Extant)

Why they fit: If you look at the end of each word/phrase, you’ll find a synonym for "happening now" or "existing today."

  • Contemporary, Current, and Present are common terms.
  • Extant is a slightly more academic word meaning "still in existence" or "not extinct." A Sextant is actually a tool used for navigation, but "Extant" is hidden right inside it!

Summary for 2026-09-10

If you just want the quick list of answers for today, here they are:

  • CHEMICAL ELEMENTS: Actinium, Krypton, Lead, Sulfur
  • WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE STICKING OUT OF A WINDOW: Air Conditioner, Catio, Clothesline, Flower Box
  • BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN CLASSICS: Atlantic City, Badlands, Born to Run, Thunder Road
  • ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR "HAPPENING NOW": Adult Contemporary, Alternating Current, Represent, Sextant

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you play NYT Connections?

In Connections, you are presented with a 16-word grid. Your goal is to group the words into four sets of four that share a common theme. Categories are color-coded by difficulty: Yellow (easiest), Green, Blue, and Purple (trickiest/wordplay).

When does the NYT Connections reset?

The puzzle resets daily at midnight in your local timezone. This means you can start your day with a fresh challenge every morning!

What makes a "Purple" category different?

While Yellow and Green usually involve direct definitions or clear themes, Purple often involves wordplay, hidden words, homophones, or "fill-in-the-blank" style clues. It’s designed to be the most abstract part of the puzzle.

Check back tomorrow for more hints and the solution to the next NYT Connections puzzle! Happy puzzling!