NYT Connections Hints for July 13, 2026 — Puzzle #1128
Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.
Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1128 on July 13, 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:
I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _T _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ H _ _ _ _ _ _F _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ C _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
INTERROGATE
Show theme 2
THINGS WITH HANDLES
Show theme 3
FICTIONAL CATS
Show theme 4
STARTING WITH SMOOCHES
NYT Connections answer for July 13, 2026 — puzzle #1128
INTERROGATE
QUESTION, GRILL, PUMP, EXAMINE
THINGS WITH HANDLES
UMBRELLA, BUCKET, MUG, DRAWER
FICTIONAL CATS
SALEM, PUSS, FIGARO, TOM
STARTING WITH SMOOCHES
KISSER, SMACKDOWN, BUSSIN, PECKISH
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:I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _T _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ H _ _ _ _ _ _F _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ C _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1INTERROGATEShow theme 2THINGS WITH HANDLESShow theme 3FICTIONAL CATSShow theme 4STARTING WITH SMOOCHES
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