NYT Connections · September 16, 2026
Why Is WIDENER in NYT Connections?
WIDENER belongs in the “SAUSAGES PLUS A LETTER” group because removing the D gives WIENER, a type of sausage. WIDENER → remove D → WIENER → sausage The puzzle is not using the ordinary meaning of “widener.” It is using a one-letter transformation.
WIDENER belongs in the “SAUSAGES PLUS A LETTER” group because removing the D gives WIENER, a type of sausage.
WIDENER → remove D → WIENER → sausage
The puzzle is not using the ordinary meaning of “widener.” It is using a one-letter transformation.
| Puzzle word | Transformation |
|---|---|
| WIDENER | remove D → WIENER → sausage |
| BORAT | remove O → BRAT → bratwurst sausage |
| CLINK | remove C → LINK → sausage link |
| FRANK-N-FURTER | remove N → FRANKFURTER → sausage |
Why now
WIDENER appeared in the Purple ‘SAUSAGES PLUS A LETTER’ group in Connections puzzle #1193.
The connection
Why here
Why WIDENER works
The key is to remove one extra letter from the puzzle word.
WIDENER contains WIENER with an extra D.
WIENER is a North American word for a frankfurter-style sausage. Once the D is removed, the Purple-group relationship becomes visible.
Why this clue is tricky
WIDENER looks like a normal standalone word or name, so there is no obvious reason to connect it with food.
The group only works when you stop reading WIDENER for its normal meaning and inspect its letters instead.
That extra D is the entire trick.
More context
Context
The full Purple group
WIDENER → remove D → WIENER → sausage
BORAT → remove O → BRAT → bratwurst sausage
CLINK → remove C → LINK → sausage link
FRANK-N-FURTER → remove N → FRANKFURTER → sausage
Each answer is a sausage term with one extra letter inserted.
Keep exploring
Related
Evidence
Sources
- Connections puzzle #1193 for September 16, 2026 — The New York Times
The puzzle’s Purple group and the WIDENER, BORAT, CLINK and FRANK-N-FURTER clues.
- wiener — Cambridge Dictionary
Wiener means a frankfurter-style sausage in North American English.