Connections Hints
Friday, September 18, 2026
Words from the NYT Connections puzzle — September 18, 2026
All 16 words, sorted alphabetically. Group them into four categories of four.
The four category names, easiest to hardest. No words revealed yet.
Theme name plus one word from each category.
PHASE, ROUND, STAGE, and STEP all refer to a distinct segment or part within a larger process or sequence.
FLIGHT, MEDLEY, PLATTER, and SAMPLER all describe a collection or assortment of different foods or drinks served together for variety.
BOARDING, CRUISE, LANDING, and TAKEOFF are all distinct phases of an airplane flight, from entering the aircraft to arriving at the destination.
BRIEF, PILLOW, STAIR, and UPPER each combine with CASE to form a compound word: BRIEFCASE, PILLOWCASE, STAIRCASE, and UPPERCASE.