NYT Connections Hints for October 13, 2026 — Puzzle #1220

Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.

Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1220 on October 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: October 13, 2026 (2026-10-13) · #1220 · Source: the game's public daily data (https://www.nytimes.com/svc/connections/v2/2026-10-13.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:

D _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
F _ _ _ _ _
S _ _ _ _ _ C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _
L _ _ _ _

3. Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1

DISCERNMENT

Show theme 2

FASTEN

Show theme 3

SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZES

Show theme 4

LOOSE ___

NYT Connections answer for October 13, 2026 — puzzle #1220

DISCERNMENT

EYE, SENSE, TASTE, FLAIR

FASTEN

LASH, TIE, HITCH, TETHER

SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZES

JACKET, BELT, RING, CUP

LOOSE ___

LIPS, CHANGE, CANNON, ENDS

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