NYT Connections Hints for 2026-07-09 — Puzzle #1124
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:
N _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ D _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _M _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _K _ _ _ _ O _ R _ _ _P _ _ _ _ _ _ M _ _ _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
NON-ALCOHOLIC DESIGNATORS
Show theme 2
MUSIC PUBLICATIONS
Show theme 3
KINDS OF RUGS
Show theme 4
PONTIAC MODELS
NYT Connections answer for 2026-07-09
NON-ALCOHOLIC DESIGNATORS
VIRGIN, NA, ZERO-PROOF, SPIRIT-FREE
MUSIC PUBLICATIONS
SPIN, ROLLING STONE, BILLBOARD, PITCHFORK
KINDS OF RUGS
THROW, PRAYER, PERSIAN, SHAG
PONTIAC MODELS
FIREBIRD, G6, GRAND PRIX, TRANS AM
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:N _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ D _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _M _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _K _ _ _ _ O _ R _ _ _P _ _ _ _ _ _ M _ _ _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1NON-ALCOHOLIC DESIGNATORSShow theme 2MUSIC PUBLICATIONSShow theme 3KINDS OF RUGSShow theme 4PONTIAC MODELS
Recent NYT Connections puzzles
- 2026-09-20 — #1197
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- 2026-09-17 — #1194
- 2026-09-16 — #1193
- 2026-09-15 — #1192
- 2026-09-14 — #1191
- 2026-09-13 — #1190
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