NYT Connections Puzzle #1128: Hints and Full Solutions for July 13, 2026

The New York Times Connections puzzle for July 13, 2026 (Puzzle #1128) offers a satisfying mix of interrogation terms, everyday objects with handles, famous fictional cats, and a clever wordplay category built around ‘smooches.’ The yellow group is straightforward, while the purple category delivers today’s biggest twist.

How NYT Connections Works

Connections is a daily puzzle from The New York Times where players group 16 words into four categories. Each color indicates difficulty: yellow (easiest), green, blue, and purple (hardest). The challenge lies in identifying hidden connections, which may involve categories, word associations, or prefixes and suffixes.

Today’s 16-Word List

Here are the words from today’s grid:

• BUCKET
• PUMP
• QUESTION
• DRAWER
• MUG
• UMBRELLA
• BUSSIN
• KISSER
• FIGARO
• PUSS
• EXAMINE
• GRILL
• SALEM
• TOM
• PECKISH
• SMACKDOWN

NYT Connections Hints for July 13, 2026

Need a nudge? Here are clues for each group:

• Yellow Group: Think of words you’d use when questioning someone.
• Green Group: These are everyday household items you likely have at home.
• Blue Group: Animation lovers will easily recognize these famous cats.
• Purple Group: Look for words that are synonyms or related to kissing.

One-Word Hints

• Yellow: EXAMINE
• Green: DRAWER
• Blue: SALEM
• Purple: SMACKDOWN

NYT Connections Answers for July 13, 2026

If you’re ready to see the solution, here are the complete category groups:

• Yellow Group — INTERROGATE: EXAMINE, GRILL, PUMP, QUESTION
• Green Group — THINGS WITH HANDLES: BUCKET, DRAWER, MUG, UMBRELLA
• Blue Group — FICTIONAL CATS: FIGARO, PUSS, SALEM, TOM
• Purple Group — STARTING WITH SMOOCHES: BUSSIN, KISSER, PECKISH, SMACKDOWN

Previous NYT Connections Answers (July 6–12, 2026)

If you missed earlier puzzles, check the archive for past solutions to catch up.

Final Thoughts

The July 13 edition of NYT Connections offers a well-balanced mental workout. The combination of everyday words and subtle wordplay around ‘kisses’ showcases how simple words can hide layered logic. The yellow and green groups are accessible, while the purple category delivers a clever twist. This puzzle reinforces why Connections continues to attract thousands of players daily — it transforms word sorting into a strategic exercise that rewards persistence with a satisfying ‘aha’ moment.