NYT Connections Hints for July 18, 2026 — Puzzle #1133
Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.
Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1133 on July 18, 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:
C _ _ _ _ _ A B _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ V _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _B _ _ _ _ _T _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ _ I _ V _ _ _ _ G _ _ _ _W _ _ _ _ A _ _ _ _ P _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
COMMIT A BASKETBALL VIOLATION
Show theme 2
BELIEF
Show theme 3
THINGS TRACKED IN VIDEO GAMES
Show theme 4
WORDS AFTER "POP"
NYT Connections answer for July 18, 2026 — puzzle #1133
COMMIT A BASKETBALL VIOLATION
TRAVEL, CARRY, GOALTEND, DOUBLE DRIBBLE
BELIEF
OPINION, MIND, VIEW, ATTITUDE
THINGS TRACKED IN VIDEO GAMES
SCORE, HEALTH, TIME, LIVES
WORDS AFTER "POP"
FLY, QUIZ, TART, CULTURE
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:C _ _ _ _ _ A B _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ V _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _B _ _ _ _ _T _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ _ I _ V _ _ _ _ G _ _ _ _W _ _ _ _ A _ _ _ _ P _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1COMMIT A BASKETBALL VIOLATIONShow theme 2BELIEFShow theme 3THINGS TRACKED IN VIDEO GAMESShow theme 4WORDS AFTER "POP"
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