NYT Connections Hints for July 3, 2026 — Puzzle #1118

Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.

Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1118 on July 3, 2026: how many groups there are, a masked theme for each group, then the four categories one at a time, then all sixteen words and the full grouping.

Puzzle date: July 3, 2026 (2026-07-03) · #1118 · Source: the game's public daily data (https://www.nytimes.com/svc/connections/v2/2026-07-03.json). Hints are derived from that day's verified answer data — no invented clues, difficulty scores or word claims.

1. The shape of the puzzle

There are 4 categories of 4 words each (16 words total).

2. The four themes, masked

Each theme below keeps its word shapes and the first letter of every word:

P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ _ _ _ _ _
R _ _ _ _ E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O _ A _ _ _ _ _ _ _
B _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ T _ G _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _
W _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T M _ _ _ _ R _ _ _ _ T _

3. Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1

POSITIVE FEELINGS

Show theme 2

RETRO EXPRESSIONS OF APPROVAL

Show theme 3

BAD THINGS TO GIVE SOMEONE

Show theme 4

WHAT THINGS PRONOUNCED "T" MIGHT REFER TO

NYT Connections answer for July 3, 2026 — puzzle #1118

POSITIVE FEELINGS

FELICITY, WARM FUZZIES, HAPPINESS, BLISS

RETRO EXPRESSIONS OF APPROVAL

COOL BEANS, RIGHT ON, FAR OUT, GROOVY

BAD THINGS TO GIVE SOMEONE

RUNAROUND, DIRTY LOOK, COLD SHOULDER, HARD TIME

WHAT THINGS PRONOUNCED "T" MIGHT REFER TO

HOT DRINK, SHIRT, GOSSIP, GOLF ACCESSORY

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