Daily Puzzle Hints

NYT Connections Hints for 2026-07-31 — Puzzle #1146

Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.

Source: the official puzzle feed (official NYT feed), retrieved . Hints are derived from the official answer data — no invented clues, difficulty scores or word claims.

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:

3. Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1

CONSTRUCT

Show theme 2

SUPER MARIO FIGURES

Show theme 3

FRUITS PLUS STARTING LETTER

Show theme 4

STARTING WITH MERRIMENTS

NYT Connections answer for 2026-07-31

CONSTRUCT

MOLD, FASHION, MODEL, SHAPE

SUPER MARIO FIGURES

PRINCESS, MUSHROOM, DINOSAUR, PLUMBER

FRUITS PLUS STARTING LETTER

SPEAR, DAPPLE, SLIME, JDATE

STARTING WITH MERRIMENTS

JOYSTICK, FUNGUS, CHEERIOS, GLEEK

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:C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ M _ _ _ _ F _ _ _ _ _ _F _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ L _ _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ M _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1CONSTRUCTShow theme 2SUPER MARIO FIGURESShow theme 3FRUITS PLUS STARTING LETTERShow theme 4STARTING WITH MERRIMENTS

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