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 and the full grouping.

Puzzle date: July 13, 2026 (2026-07-13) · #1128 · Source: the game's public daily data (https://www.nytimes.com/svc/connections/v2/2026-07-13.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:

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

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