Connections Hints
Monday, September 14, 2026
Words from the NYT Connections puzzle — September 14, 2026
Jump to a hint level
Show the word gridAll 16 words — you figure out the groups
Show the themesCategory names only, no words revealed
One word per groupTheme name + one word per category
Full solutionAll words and explanations
← Back to hint toolLoad any date with the interactive hint ladder
Word grid
All 16 words, sorted alphabetically. Group them into four categories of four.
BAG
BLUE
CANARY
COOT
CRAB
CUTLERY
GOOSE
LEMON
LOON
RAT
SNITCH
STIRRER
STOOLIE
STRAW
TEAL
WHEAT
Themes
The four category names, easiest to hardest. No words revealed yet.
WATERBIRDSStraightforward
INFORMANTModerate
COMMON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC ITEMSTricky
___GRASSDevious
One word per group
Theme name plus one word from each category.
WATERBIRDSStraightforward
BIRDS YOU MIGHT SPOT ON A LAKE OR POND+ 3 more…
INFORMANTModerate
WORDS FOR SOMEONE WHO RATS OUT OTHERS TO THE AUTHORITIES+ 3 more…
COMMON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC ITEMSTricky
EVERYDAY PLASTIC ITEMS TARGETED BY ENVIRONMENTAL BANS+ 3 more…
___GRASSDevious
EACH OF THESE WORDS CAN PRECEDE 'GRASS'+ 3 more…
Full solution
WATERBIRDSStraightforward
COOT,GOOSE,LOON,TEAL
COOT, GOOSE, LOON, and TEAL are all birds commonly found on or near bodies of water
INFORMANTModerate
CANARY,RAT,SNITCH,STOOLIE
CANARY, RAT, SNITCH, and STOOLIE are all slang terms for an informant or someone who tells on others
COMMON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC ITEMSTricky
BAG,CUTLERY,STIRRER,STRAW
BAG, CUTLERY, STIRRER, and STRAW are all common single-use plastic items that have faced widespread bans or restrictions
___GRASSDevious
BLUE,CRAB,LEMON,WHEAT
BLUE, CRAB, LEMON, and WHEAT can all precede GRASS to form compound words: bluegrass, crabgrass, lemongrass, and wheatgrass