Connections archive · Puzzle #1128
NYT Connections Hints & Answers — July 13, 2026 (#1128)
Group hints and answers for the NYT Connections puzzle on . Get a spoiler-free nudge for each group, or reveal the full solution — your call.
Difficulty: Medium
Spoiler control
Choose how much to reveal
Reveal one step at a time — nudges first, full answers only if you ask.
1. Group nudges spoiler-free
- Yellow: Press someone for answers
- Green: Objects designed with a part you can grip
- Blue: Named felines from stories, cartoons, and television
- Purple: Each word opens with a different synonym for a kiss
2. One word from each group a foothold
- Yellow: EXAMINE
- Green: BUCKET
- Blue: FIGARO
- Purple: BUSSIN
3. The four category names no words yet
- Yellow: INTERROGATE
- Green: THINGS WITH HANDLES
- Blue: FICTIONAL CATS
- Purple: STARTING WITH SMOOCHES
4. Reveal groups one by one
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
5. Reveal everything full spoilers
Yellow — INTERROGATE
- EXAMINE
- GRILL
- PUMP
- QUESTION
Green — THINGS WITH HANDLES
- BUCKET
- DRAWER
- MUG
- UMBRELLA
Blue — FICTIONAL CATS
- FIGARO
- PUSS
- SALEM
- TOM
Purple — STARTING WITH SMOOCHES
- BUSSIN
- KISSER
- PECKISH
- SMACKDOWN
NYT Connections #1128 — quick answers
What are today's Connections categories?
INTERROGATE; THINGS WITH HANDLES; FICTIONAL CATS; STARTING WITH SMOOCHES.
What are all the answers?
- INTERROGATE: EXAMINE, GRILL, PUMP, QUESTION
- THINGS WITH HANDLES: BUCKET, DRAWER, MUG, UMBRELLA
- FICTIONAL CATS: FIGARO, PUSS, SALEM, TOM
- STARTING WITH SMOOCHES: BUSSIN, KISSER, PECKISH, SMACKDOWN
Also for: Connections hints 7/13/26, 7-13-26, 7 13 26, 7/13/2026, and puzzle #1128.
Also stuck on Strands, Wordle, Spelling Bee or Mini Crossword ?
Today's puzzle, in a nutshell
The handle group is concrete and approachable, but several verbs can masquerade as interrogation methods. Purple becomes much cleaner once the hidden kiss synonyms are read at the starts of longer words.