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 — the full solution stays hidden until you reveal it.
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
Frequently asked questions
The shape of the puzzle
There are 4 categories of 4 words each (16 words total).
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 _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1POSITIVE FEELINGSShow theme 2RETRO EXPRESSIONS OF APPROVALShow theme 3BAD THINGS TO GIVE SOMEONEShow theme 4WHAT THINGS PRONOUNCED "T" MIGHT REFER TO
Recent NYT Connections puzzles
- September 20, 2026 — #1197
- September 19, 2026 — #1196
- September 18, 2026 — #1195
- September 17, 2026 — #1194
- September 16, 2026 — #1193
- September 15, 2026 — #1192
- September 14, 2026 — #1191
- September 13, 2026 — #1190
This site is an independent hints page. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by The New York Times. Game names are used only to describe the games.