NYT Connections Hints for 2026-07-03 — Puzzle #1118
Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.
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:
P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ _ _ _ _ _R _ _ _ _ E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O _ A _ _ _ _ _ _ _B _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ T _ G _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _W _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T M _ _ _ _ R _ _ _ _ T _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
POSITIVE FEELINGS
Show theme 2
RETRO EXPRESSIONS OF APPROVAL
Show theme 3
BAD THINGS TO GIVE SOMEONE
Show theme 4
WHAT THINGS PRONOUNCED "T" MIGHT REFER TO
NYT Connections answer for 2026-07-03
POSITIVE FEELINGS
FELICITY, WARM FUZZIES, HAPPINESS, BLISS
RETRO EXPRESSIONS OF APPROVAL
COOL BEANS, RIGHT ON, FAR OUT, GROOVY
BAD THINGS TO GIVE SOMEONE
RUNAROUND, DIRTY LOOK, COLD SHOULDER, HARD TIME
WHAT THINGS PRONOUNCED "T" MIGHT REFER TO
HOT DRINK, SHIRT, GOSSIP, GOLF ACCESSORY
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:P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ F _ _ _ _ _ _ _R _ _ _ _ E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O _ A _ _ _ _ _ _ _B _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ T _ G _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _W _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T M _ _ _ _ R _ _ _ _ T _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1POSITIVE FEELINGSShow theme 2RETRO EXPRESSIONS OF APPROVALShow theme 3BAD THINGS TO GIVE SOMEONEShow theme 4WHAT THINGS PRONOUNCED "T" MIGHT REFER TO
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