Play Connections #1128
These are the 16 words in the order NYT shows them. Tap four words you think belong together and press Submit. You get four mistakes, and we'll tell you when you are one word away. Nothing is saved, so you can practise without touching your real streak.
Connections #1128 hints
Yellow is usually the easiest group and purple the trickiest. Start with one colour and see if the rest falls into place.
Hints used: 0
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Yellow group hintGentle hint
Think of what a detective does when pressing a suspect for answers.
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Green group hintGentle hint
Each of these is something you grip in order to carry, pull, or use it.
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Blue group hintHelpful hint
Famous felines from cartoons, stories, and screens.
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Purple group hintHelpful hint
Hidden at the start of each is a way to show affection with your lips.
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Where's the trap?Strong hint
A pump has a handle you work, so it can lure you toward the household-items group, and MUG and PUSS both also mean face in slang.
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The four group namesStrong hint
- INTERROGATE
- THINGS WITH HANDLES
- FICTIONAL CATS
- STARTING WITH SMOOCHES
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Difficulty: Medium. Three groups are fairly familiar, but the last one relies on spotting hidden word beginnings and some slang, which can take a moment.
Connections #1128 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are all four groups for July 13, 2026, with why each word fits.
Reveal one group at a time
Each colour opens in three steps: one word from the group, then the group name, then all four words. Stop as soon as you can finish it yourself.
Show one word
EXAMINE is in the yellow group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is INTERROGATE.
Show all four words
EXAMINE, GRILL, PUMP, QUESTION
Show one word
BUCKET is in the green group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is THINGS WITH HANDLES.
Show all four words
BUCKET, DRAWER, MUG, UMBRELLA
Show one word
FIGARO is in the blue group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is FICTIONAL CATS.
Show all four words
FIGARO, PUSS, SALEM, TOM
Show one word
BUSSIN is in the purple group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is STARTING WITH SMOOCHES.
Show all four words
BUSSIN, KISSER, PECKISH, SMACKDOWN
All four groups at once
Show all four groups
- EXAMINE: To examine someone is to question them closely.
- GRILL: Grill means to question intensely.
- PUMP: Pump means to press someone for information.
- QUESTION: Question means to ask someone for answers.
- BUCKET: A bucket has a handle for carrying.
- DRAWER: A drawer has a handle or pull for opening.
- MUG: A mug has a handle for holding.
- UMBRELLA: An umbrella has a handle you hold.
- FIGARO: Figaro is Geppetto's kitten in Pinocchio.
- PUSS: Puss in Boots is a fairy-tale cat.
- SALEM: Salem is the talking cat in Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
- TOM: Tom is the cat chasing Jerry.
Purple group explained
- BUSSIN: Starts with BUSS, an old word for a kiss.
- KISSER: Starts with KISS.
- PECKISH: Starts with PECK, a quick light kiss.
- SMACKDOWN: Starts with SMACK, a loud kiss.
Recent Connections puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Purple group |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 12 | #1127 | STARTS OF U.S. CAPITALS |
| Jul 11 | #1126 | DOUBLE LETTERS APPEARING IN THAT LETTER'S ALPHABETICAL POSITION |
About Connections
Connections is a daily New York Times puzzle where you sort 16 words into four groups of four. Groups are colour-coded from yellow, the most direct, to purple, which usually relies on wordplay. You can make four mistakes. Looking back at past puzzles is one of the best ways to learn the kinds of tricks the editors like to use.
Other puzzles on Jul 13
Connections #1128 questions
What were the Connections answers on July 13, 2026?
INTERROGATE: EXAMINE, GRILL, PUMP, QUESTION. THINGS WITH HANDLES: BUCKET, DRAWER, MUG, UMBRELLA. FICTIONAL CATS: FIGARO, PUSS, SALEM, TOM. STARTING WITH SMOOCHES: BUSSIN, KISSER, PECKISH, SMACKDOWN.
What was the purple group in Connections #1128?
STARTING WITH SMOOCHES: BUSSIN, KISSER, PECKISH, SMACKDOWN.
What made Connections #1128 tricky?
A pump has a handle you work, so it can lure you toward the household-items group, and MUG and PUSS both also mean face in slang.