NYT Connections Hints for July 21, 2026 — Puzzle #1136
Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.
Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1136 on July 21, 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:
K _ _ _ _ O _ T _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ D _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O _ A M _ _ _ _ _ _T _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
KINDS OF TOPS
Show theme 2
SOFTWARE DOWNLOADS
Show theme 3
ELEMENTS OF A MUSICAL
Show theme 4
TELE___
NYT Connections answer for July 21, 2026 — puzzle #1136
KINDS OF TOPS
TUBE, CROP, TANK, HALTER
SOFTWARE DOWNLOADS
DRIVER, APP, EXTENSION, PLUGIN
ELEMENTS OF A MUSICAL
MUSIC, BOOK, ORCHESTRATION, LYRICS
TELE___
GRAM, VISION, KINESIS, PROMPTER
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:K _ _ _ _ O _ T _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ D _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O _ A M _ _ _ _ _ _T _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1KINDS OF TOPSShow theme 2SOFTWARE DOWNLOADSShow theme 3ELEMENTS OF A MUSICALShow theme 4TELE___
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