The New York Times has released the latest Connections puzzle for July 21, 2026 (Puzzle #1136). This edition features 16 words that fall into four categories: types of tops, software downloads, elements of a musical, and words that follow “Tele.” The puzzle is rated a 3 out of 5 for difficulty, making it a balanced challenge for most players.
Hints for July 21, 2026
If you need a nudge, here are the category hints:
- Yellow (Easiest): Words related to different types of shirts.
- Green (Moderate): Software-related terms.
- Blue (Challenging): Elements of a musical.
- Purple (Most Difficult): Words that fit with “Tele.”
One-Word Hints
Still stuck? These one-word clues might help:
- Yellow: CROP
- Green: DRIVER
- Blue: MUSIC
- Purple: VISION
Full Answers for Puzzle #1136
Ready for the solution? Here are the four categories and their words:
- Yellow Category – KINDS OF TOPS: CROP, HALTER, TANK, TUBE
- Green Category – SOFTWARE DOWNLOADS: APP, DRIVER, EXTENSION, PLUGIN
- Blue Category – ELEMENTS OF A MUSICAL: BOOK, LYRICS, MUSIC, ORCHESTRATION
- Purple Category – TELE___: GRAM, KINESIS, PROMPTER, VISION
Congratulations to everyone who solved it! The puzzle offers a clever mix of everyday words and playful connections, making it a satisfying daily challenge.
Review of Puzzle #1136
The July 21 edition of NYT Connections demonstrates how a puzzle can be engaging even at moderate difficulty. By blending familiar clothing items with software terms and musical elements, the grid provides a quick but rewarding mental workout. The purple category, with its “Tele” prefix words, delivers the most inventive wordplay of the day. Overall, this puzzle keeps players curious and eager for the next challenge.

