NYT Connections Hints for 2026-07-13 — Puzzle #1128
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:
I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _T _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ H _ _ _ _ _ _F _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ C _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
INTERROGATE
Show theme 2
THINGS WITH HANDLES
Show theme 3
FICTIONAL CATS
Show theme 4
STARTING WITH SMOOCHES
NYT Connections answer for 2026-07-13
INTERROGATE
QUESTION, GRILL, PUMP, EXAMINE
THINGS WITH HANDLES
UMBRELLA, BUCKET, MUG, DRAWER
FICTIONAL CATS
SALEM, PUSS, FIGARO, TOM
STARTING WITH SMOOCHES
KISSER, SMACKDOWN, BUSSIN, PECKISH
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:I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _T _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ H _ _ _ _ _ _F _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ C _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1INTERROGATEShow theme 2THINGS WITH HANDLESShow theme 3FICTIONAL CATSShow theme 4STARTING WITH SMOOCHES
Recent NYT Connections puzzles
- 2026-09-20 — #1197
- 2026-09-19 — #1196
- 2026-09-18 — #1195
- 2026-09-17 — #1194
- 2026-09-16 — #1193
- 2026-09-15 — #1192
- 2026-09-14 — #1191
- 2026-09-13 — #1190
This site is an independent hints page. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by The New York Times. Game names are used only to describe the games.