If you played the NYT Connections puzzle on August 13, 2026 (#1159) and wondered what each word actually means, this guide breaks down the definition and meaning of all 16 words. Whether you cracked the grid or came looking afterward, understanding the vocabulary behind CARRY ON, CONTINUE, MAKE IT, PERSIST, CREEP, EASE, EDGE, INCH, CHECKED BAGS, LOUNGE, MILES, UPGRADE, COMFORT, FEET, SHOULDER and TURKEY makes the whole puzzle click into place.
Below you'll find every word defined and organized by its Connections category, so you can see exactly why each answer belongs where it does. If you want gentle nudges instead of spoilers for future games, check our daily NYT Connections hints and answers hub.
- Persevere: CARRY ON, CONTINUE, MAKE IT, PERSIST
- Move Slowly (Up To): CREEP, EASE, EDGE, INCH
- Airline Status Perks: CHECKED BAGS, LOUNGE, MILES, UPGRADE
- "Cold" Things, in Idioms: COMFORT, FEET, SHOULDER, TURKEY
All 16 NYT Connections Words for August 13, 2026 (#1159)
The 16 words in today's grid were: CARRY ON, CONTINUE, MAKE IT, PERSIST, CREEP, EASE, EDGE, INCH, CHECKED BAGS, LOUNGE, MILES, UPGRADE, COMFORT, FEET, SHOULDER and TURKEY. In Connections, you sort these 16 words into four groups of four. Today they split into synonyms for perseverance, verbs describing slow gradual movement, perks associated with airline loyalty status, and words that follow "cold" in common English idioms.
Persevere: CARRY ON, CONTINUE, MAKE IT, PERSIST
These four words all mean to keep going despite difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement — to persevere.
CARRY ON (Meaning)
Carry on means to continue doing something or to keep going despite difficulties. The phrase has deep cultural resonance — from the World War II–era British propaganda slogan "Keep Calm and Carry On" to its everyday usage meaning "proceed as before." As a noun, a carry-on is also a piece of luggage small enough to take aboard an aircraft.
CONTINUE (Meaning)
Continue means to persist in an activity or process without stopping, or to resume after a pause. Derived from the Latin continuare ("to make continuous"), it is one of the most fundamental English verbs for expressing sustained action. In video games, "Continue?" is the iconic prompt inviting the player to keep playing.
MAKE IT (Meaning)
Make it is an informal expression meaning to succeed, survive, or reach a destination or goal despite challenges. "She didn't think she'd make it through the marathon" or "He finally made it as a professional musician" both convey perseverance through hardship. The phrase implies overcoming odds to achieve an outcome.
PERSIST (Meaning)
Persist means to continue firmly in a course of action despite difficulty, opposition, or failure. From the Latin persistere ("to stand firm"), it carries a connotation of stubborn determination. The related noun persistence is considered one of the most important traits for success in any field.
Move Slowly (Up To): CREEP, EASE, EDGE, INCH
Each of these four words functions as a verb describing slow, gradual, cautious movement — often used with the preposition "up to" to indicate approaching something or someone carefully.
CREEP (Meaning)
Creep means to move slowly and carefully, often to avoid being noticed or to approach stealthily. It can describe physical movement ("creep up to the window") or metaphorical change ("prices creep up"). As a noun, a creep is slang for an unsettling person. The term scope creep in project management describes gradual, uncontrolled expansion of a project's requirements.
EASE (Meaning)
Ease as a verb means to move carefully or gradually — to "ease into a parking space," "ease the door open," or "ease up to someone" all describe slow, controlled, gentle movement. As a noun, ease means comfort or the absence of difficulty. The word derives from Old French aise, meaning "comfort" or "opportunity."
EDGE (Meaning)
Edge as a noun refers to the outer boundary or sharp side of something. As a verb, it means to move slowly and carefully, typically sideways or by small increments — "edge closer to the cliff," "edge toward the exit," or "edge past the other cars." It conveys a sense of cautious, measured movement where precision matters more than speed.
INCH (Meaning)
Inch as a noun is a unit of measurement equal to 1/12 of a foot (2.54 cm). As a verb, it means to move very slowly and by tiny increments — "inch forward in traffic," "inch toward a solution," or "inch the price up." The word comes from the Latin uncia, meaning "one-twelfth," the same root that gives us "ounce."
Airline Status Perks: CHECKED BAGS, LOUNGE, MILES, UPGRADE
These four words represent benefits typically associated with elite status in frequent-flyer programs and airline loyalty tiers.
CHECKED BAGS (Meaning)
Checked bags (or checked baggage) are suitcases and luggage items that passengers hand over to the airline at the check-in counter to be transported in the aircraft's cargo hold. Many airlines now charge fees for checked bags, but passengers with elite frequent-flyer status often receive free checked bags as a perk — a significant benefit that can save hundreds of dollars per year for frequent travelers.
LOUNGE (Meaning)
Lounge as a noun refers to a comfortable room for relaxation or waiting. In the airline context, an airport lounge is an exclusive waiting area offering amenities such as complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi, showers, and quiet seating. Access to airline lounges is one of the most coveted perks of elite status or premium credit cards. As a verb, to lounge means to relax in a lazy, informal way.
MILES (Meaning)
Miles as a unit of distance equals 5,280 feet (1.609 km). In the airline context, frequent-flyer miles (or "points") are loyalty currency earned by flying, using co-branded credit cards, or shopping with airline partners. Accumulated miles can be redeemed for free flights, upgrades, hotel stays, and other travel rewards. Elite status members often earn miles at accelerated rates — a key perk of loyalty programs.
UPGRADE (Meaning)
Upgrade means to raise something to a higher standard, quality, or version. In airline travel, an upgrade refers to being moved from economy class to a higher cabin — business or first class — either through elite status, miles redemption, or airline discretion. Complimentary upgrades are among the most prized airline status perks, turning a standard ticket into a premium experience.
"Cold" Things, in Idioms: COMFORT, FEET, SHOULDER, TURKEY
Each of these four words follows the word "cold" to form a well-known English idiom or expression: cold comfort, cold feet, cold shoulder, and cold turkey.
COMFORT (Meaning)
Comfort means a state of physical ease or emotional consolation. The idiom "cold comfort" describes reassurance or consolation that is inadequate or does little to ease someone's distress — for example, "Knowing others have the same problem is cold comfort when you're struggling." The phrase implies that the comfort offered is so minimal it feels as unwelcoming as the cold.
FEET (Meaning)
Feet is the plural of foot — a body part and a unit of measurement (12 inches). The idiom "cold feet" means a sudden loss of nerve or confidence, especially before a major commitment. It's most famously used in the context of weddings — "The groom got cold feet" — but applies to any situation where someone hesitates or backs out due to anxiety.
SHOULDER (Meaning)
Shoulder is the joint connecting the arm to the torso. The idiom "cold shoulder" means to deliberately ignore or show indifference to someone — to give them the "cold shoulder" is to snub or ostracize them. The phrase may have originated from the practice of serving an unwanted guest a cold shoulder of mutton instead of a warm meal, signaling they should leave.
TURKEY (Meaning)
Turkey is a large domesticated bird (Meleagris gallopavo) native to North America and the centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinner. The idiom "cold turkey" means to quit something abruptly and completely, without gradual reduction — most commonly used for quitting addictive substances: "She quit smoking cold turkey." The phrase's origin is debated, but may relate to the goosebumps and clammy skin resembling a plucked turkey that accompany sudden withdrawal.
Why These Words Tripped Players Up
The August 13 (#1159) puzzle featured several clever overlaps. CARRY ON could easily be associated with airline travel (a carry-on bag) rather than perseverance, creating a decoy connection with the airline perks category. COMFORT seems positive on its own but connects to the negative idiom "cold comfort." EDGE and CREEP could feel like they belong in a "scary" or "thriller" category rather than describing slow movement. MILES can refer to distance, making it tempting to group with INCH and EDGE in a measurement-related category instead of airline perks. And MAKE IT as a phrase for perseverance is more colloquial than the other three in its group, making it easy to overlook.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 16 words in NYT Connections for August 13, 2026 (#1159)?
The 16 words are CARRY ON, CONTINUE, MAKE IT, PERSIST, CREEP, EASE, EDGE, INCH, CHECKED BAGS, LOUNGE, MILES, UPGRADE, COMFORT, FEET, SHOULDER and TURKEY.
What do CARRY ON, CONTINUE, MAKE IT and PERSIST have in common?
They are all words or phrases meaning to persevere — to keep going despite difficulty or opposition.
Why are CREEP, EASE, EDGE and INCH grouped together?
They are all verbs meaning to move slowly and gradually (up to something) — each describes cautious, incremental motion.
What do CHECKED BAGS, LOUNGE, MILES and UPGRADE have in common?
They are all perks associated with airline elite status through frequent-flyer programs — free checked bags, airport lounge access, bonus miles, and complimentary upgrades.
What connects COMFORT, FEET, SHOULDER and TURKEY?
They are all "cold" things in idioms: cold comfort, cold feet, cold shoulder, and cold turkey.
What does CARRY ON mean in NYT Connections August 13, 2026?
In NYT Connections #1159, CARRY ON means to persevere or continue despite difficulty — placing it in the yellow "Persevere" category alongside CONTINUE, MAKE IT, and PERSIST. Despite its airline association (carry-on luggage), it belongs in the perseverance group.
What does COMFORT mean in NYT Connections?
In today's puzzle, COMFORT belongs to the purple category because it forms the idiom "cold comfort" — meaning inadequate or insufficient consolation. It connects with FEET (cold feet), SHOULDER (cold shoulder), and TURKEY (cold turkey).
What does INCH mean in NYT Connections?
INCH is used as a verb meaning to move very slowly and by tiny increments, placing it in the green "Move Slowly (Up To)" category alongside CREEP, EASE, and EDGE. Though it's also a unit of measurement, the verb sense is what connects it here.
What does CHECKED BAGS mean in NYT Connections?
CHECKED BAGS refers to luggage transported in an aircraft's cargo hold. In puzzle #1159, it belongs to the blue "Airline Status Perks" category because free checked bags are a common benefit of frequent-flyer elite status.
Why isn't CARRY ON in the airline category?
While CARRY ON can refer to carry-on luggage (a bag taken aboard a plane), in today's puzzle it means to persevere or keep going. It belongs in the yellow "Persevere" category, not the blue "Airline Status Perks" group — a deliberate misdirection by the puzzle designers.
Why isn't MILES in a measurement category?
Although a mile is a unit of distance, in today's puzzle MILES refers to frequent-flyer miles — loyalty points earned through airline programs. MILES belongs in the blue "Airline Status Perks" category alongside CHECKED BAGS, LOUNGE, and UPGRADE.
What does cold turkey mean?
Cold turkey means to quit something abruptly and completely without gradual reduction, most often associated with quitting addictive substances like smoking or alcohol.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the full definitions and contextual connections for all 16 words in the August 13, 2026 (#1159) NYT Connections grid. Bookmark our site and check back daily for comprehensive answer breakdowns, vocabulary guides, and strategic hints!
