Connections #1179: Dog-themed puzzle splits real breeds from puns

Key points

• The yellow group theme is 'flabbergast,' with the answers being dazzle, floor, stun, and wow.
• The green group theme is 'things in a violin case,' with the answers being bow, mute, rosin, and shoulder rest.
• The blue group theme is '____ dogs (that are dogs),' with the answers being hunting, rescue, sausage, and sheep.
• The purple group theme is '____ dogs (that aren't dogs),' with the answers being corn, prairie, salty, and top.
• CNET notes that the puzzle is tricky because it features two separate dog categories, only one of which refers to the actual four-legged animal.

Background

The New York Times Connections puzzle is a daily word game that has been covered by tldrdailynews.com since August 2026. Previous puzzles have included themes such as things that come in tubes, warnings on a shipping box, and historical sovereign titles. The game is free-to-play and available worldwide on desktop and mobile devices.

How outlets are covering it

CNET, Lifehacker, and Insider Gaming all provide hints and answers for the September 2, 2026 Connections puzzle. CNET and Lifehacker both note that the puzzle is tricky due to the two dog categories. Lifehacker provides a more detailed explanation of the meanings of the trickier words, such as rosin and floor. Insider Gaming provides hints and answers for the September 3, 2026 puzzle, which is a different puzzle from the one covered by CNET and Lifehacker. Mashable provides hints and meanings for the September 1, 2026 puzzle, which is also a different puzzle from the one covered by CNET and Lifehacker.

Why it matters

The New York Times Connections puzzle is a popular daily word game that has a large following. The puzzle is a good way to test one's knowledge of wordplay and synonyms. The September 2, 2026 puzzle is particularly tricky because it features two dog categories, which can be confusing for players.

What to watch

The next New York Times Connections puzzle will be released on September 3, 2026. The puzzle will feature a new set of 16 words and four color-coded groups. Players can expect a new challenge to test their knowledge of wordplay and synonyms.