Looking for today’s NYT Connections hints and answers? The New York Times puzzle for Tuesday, September 29, 2026, is game #1206. The challenge gives players 16 words and asks them to divide them into four groups of four based on a shared connection. The categories range from familiar word meanings to spelling patterns that can be much harder to spot.
If you want to solve the puzzle yourself, use the hints below before checking the full answers.
NYT Connections Words for September 29
Today’s 16 words are:
DELTA, HIDDEN, INSIDE, MODEL TANK, MONSTERS, FINDING, SECRET, TOY, FREEZE TAG, ORAL PHASE, MOUTH, REMOTE, STREAM BED, TUCKED AWAY, HOME GAME, DRAINAGE BASIN.
Several words can initially appear to fit more than one group. That overlap is what makes NYT Connections challenging, so look for the most precise relationship between four tiles.
NYT Connections Hints for Today
Here are spoiler-light clues for each category:
- Yellow: Words describing something secluded or out of sight.
- Green: Features associated with rivers.
- Blue: Think of the opening words of Pixar movie titles.
- Purple: Look for Greek letters hidden across the phrases.
These clues provide a starting point without immediately revealing every solution.
Today’s NYT Connections Answers
Spoiler warning: The complete answers for puzzle #1206 are below.
Secluded
HIDDEN, REMOTE, SECRET, TUCKED AWAY
These four expressions describe something concealed, isolated or away from ordinary view. “Hidden,” “secret” and “tucked away” are direct descriptions, while “remote” can describe something far from other people or places.
River Features
DELTA, DRAINAGE BASIN, MOUTH, STREAM BED
All four terms are associated with a river system. A delta forms where a river deposits sediment, while its mouth is where it flows into another body of water. A drainage basin collects water that feeds a river, and a stream bed is the channel through which flowing water travels.
First Words of Pixar Films
FINDING, INSIDE, MONSTERS, TOY
These words appear at the beginning of Pixar movie titles: Finding Nemo, Inside Out, Monsters, Inc., and Toy Story. Recognizing them as movie-title openings makes this group easier to separate from the other words.
Phrases Hiding Greek Letters
FREEZE TAG, HOME GAME, MODEL TANK, ORAL PHASE
The purple category uses hidden letter sequences rather than meanings. The phrases contain names of Greek letters across their word boundaries: FREEZE TAG contains ZETA, HOME GAME contains OMEGA, MODEL TANK contains DELTA, and ORAL PHASE contains ALPHA.
Tips to Solve NYT Connections
When playing NYT Connections, avoid grouping words simply because they seem related. The puzzle frequently uses misleading connections, so look for a relationship that fits exactly four entries.
If a category feels too broad, leave it aside and examine the remaining words. Movie titles, word patterns, names and phrases can often provide stronger connections than general meanings. You also have a limited number of incorrect guesses, so testing a group carefully can protect your streak.
Conclusion
Today’s NYT Connections puzzle mixes everyday descriptions, river terminology, Pixar movie titles and a clever hidden-letter pattern. The purple group is especially dependent on noticing letters that cross word boundaries, making it the puzzle’s most distinctive challenge.
Also Read: Grayscale Files for ZCSH High Income ETF Using Zcash Options Strategy
