Play Connections #1130
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 #1130 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 where judges and lawyers do their work.
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Green group hintGentle hint
Each of these gets tied up with cord threaded through small holes.
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Blue group hintHelpful hint
Add the missing word to name different athletic pursuits.
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Purple group hintHelpful hint
Each one pairs with a word for a part of a house, hinting at extra freedom to move.
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Where's the trap?Strong hint
COURT, BENCH and RACKET all feel at home in athletics, which tempts you to build a sports group out of words that really belong elsewhere.
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The four group namesStrong hint
- TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM
- THINGS WITH LACES
- KINDS OF SPORTS
- WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE
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Difficulty: Medium. The categories are mostly familiar, but heavy overlap between courtroom and athletic terms can send you down the wrong path at first.
Connections #1130 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are all four groups for July 15, 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
BAR is in the yellow group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM.
Show all four words
BAR, BENCH, COURT, TRIBUNAL
Show one word
BASEBALL GLOVE is in the green group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is THINGS WITH LACES.
Show all four words
BASEBALL GLOVE, CORSET, FOOTBALL, SHOE
Show one word
EXTREME is in the blue group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is KINDS OF SPORTS.
Show all four words
EXTREME, MOTOR, RACKET, WATER
Show one word
BREATHING is in the purple group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE.
Show all four words
BREATHING, ELBOW, HEAD, WIGGLE
All four groups at once
Show all four groups
- BAR: Lawyers collectively; also the barrier in a courtroom.
- BENCH: Where the judge sits; also judges as a group.
- COURT: The place where legal cases are heard.
- TRIBUNAL: A body or place that judges disputes.
- BASEBALL GLOVE: Leather laces hold the webbing and fingers together.
- CORSET: Laced up the back or front for a snug fit.
- FOOTBALL: Laces on the ball help with gripping and throwing.
- SHOE: Laces tie it snugly onto your foot.
- EXTREME: Extreme sports include skateboarding and snowboarding.
- MOTOR: Motor sports include racing cars and motorcycles.
- RACKET: Racket sports include tennis and badminton.
- WATER: Water sports include swimming and surfing.
Purple group explained
- BREATHING: Breathing room means space to relax or avoid crowding.
- ELBOW: Elbow room means enough space to move freely.
- HEAD: Headroom is clearance above you, like in a car.
- WIGGLE: Wiggle room means a little flexibility or extra leeway.
Recent Connections puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Purple group |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 14 | #1129 | SYMBOLIZED WITH ARROWS |
| Jul 13 | #1128 | STARTING WITH SMOOCHES |
| 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 15
Connections #1130 questions
What were the Connections answers on July 15, 2026?
TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM: BAR, BENCH, COURT, TRIBUNAL. THINGS WITH LACES: BASEBALL GLOVE, CORSET, FOOTBALL, SHOE. KINDS OF SPORTS: EXTREME, MOTOR, RACKET, WATER. WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE: BREATHING, ELBOW, HEAD, WIGGLE.
What was the purple group in Connections #1130?
WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE: BREATHING, ELBOW, HEAD, WIGGLE.
What made Connections #1130 tricky?
COURT, BENCH and RACKET all feel at home in athletics, which tempts you to build a sports group out of words that really belong elsewhere.