Play Connections #1143
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 #1143 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
All of these mean to be in charge of a group.
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Green group hintGentle hint
Crisp fruit varieties you'd find at an orchard or grocery store.
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Blue group hintHelpful hint
Labels you might spot on the footwear in your closet.
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Purple group hintHelpful hint
Each one opens with a first name that reads the same forward and backward.
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Where's the trap?Strong hint
One of the words meaning to be in charge also starts with C, tempting you to file it with the footwear labels.
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The four group namesStrong hint
- COMMAND
- HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES
- SHOE BRANDS STARTING WITH "C"
- STARTING WITH PALINDROMIC NAMES
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Difficulty: Medium. The hidden-name wordplay takes a moment to spot, but the other three groups are fairly straightforward.
Connections #1143 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are all four groups for July 28, 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
CAPTAIN is in the yellow group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is COMMAND.
Show all four words
CAPTAIN, DIRECT, HEAD, LEAD
Show one word
EMPIRE is in the green group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES.
Show all four words
EMPIRE, FUJI, GALA, HONEYCRISP
Show one word
CAMPER is in the blue group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is SHOE BRANDS STARTING WITH "C".
Show all four words
CAMPER, CLARKS, CONVERSE, CROCS
Show one word
ANNAPOLIS is in the purple group. Look for three more words that share something with it.
Show the group name
The group is STARTING WITH PALINDROMIC NAMES.
Show all four words
ANNAPOLIS, BOBSLED, EVEREST, OTTOMAN
All four groups at once
Show all four groups
- CAPTAIN: To captain a team is to command it.
- DIRECT: To direct is to give orders and guide.
- HEAD: To head a group is to be in charge.
- LEAD: To lead is to be in command.
- EMPIRE: A red apple variety, a cross of McIntosh and Red Delicious.
- FUJI: A sweet apple variety originally from Japan.
- GALA: A mild, sweet apple variety.
- HONEYCRISP: A famously crunchy, juicy apple variety.
- CAMPER: Spanish footwear brand starting with C.
- CLARKS: British footwear brand known for desert boots.
- CONVERSE: Maker of Chuck Taylor sneakers.
- CROCS: Brand known for foam clogs.
Purple group explained
- ANNAPOLIS: Starts with ANNA, which is a palindrome.
- BOBSLED: Starts with BOB, which is a palindrome.
- EVEREST: Starts with EVE, which is a palindrome.
- OTTOMAN: Starts with OTTO, which is a palindrome.
What does CAMPER mean?
A Spanish footwear company from Mallorca, founded in 1975 and known for comfortable, quirky casual shoes. Its name means 'peasant' or 'farmer' in Catalan. Here it is one of the shoe brands starting with C.
Recent Connections puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Purple group |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 27 | #1142 | ICONS ON A SHOPPING SITE |
| Jul 26 | #1141 | WHAT "SHELL" MIGHT REFER TO |
| Jul 25 | #1140 | STRIP ___ |
| Jul 24 | #1139 | HOMOPHONES OF RELIGIOUS ROLES |
| Jul 23 | #1138 | ENDING IN GEOMETRY TERMS |
| Jul 22 | #1137 | FEATURES OF A ZEBRA |
| Jul 21 | #1136 | TELE___ |
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 28
Connections #1143 questions
What were the Connections answers on July 28, 2026?
COMMAND: CAPTAIN, DIRECT, HEAD, LEAD. HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES: EMPIRE, FUJI, GALA, HONEYCRISP. SHOE BRANDS STARTING WITH "C": CAMPER, CLARKS, CONVERSE, CROCS. STARTING WITH PALINDROMIC NAMES: ANNAPOLIS, BOBSLED, EVEREST, OTTOMAN.
What was the purple group in Connections #1143?
STARTING WITH PALINDROMIC NAMES: ANNAPOLIS, BOBSLED, EVEREST, OTTOMAN.
What made Connections #1143 tricky?
One of the words meaning to be in charge also starts with C, tempting you to file it with the footwear labels.