Daily category-matching word game
Today’s NYT Connections answers and hints for July 18, 2026, puzzle #1133, with category clues, yesterday’s groups, and recent games to review.
Today’s NYT Connections answers for July 18, 2026, puzzle #1133, are hidden below. Reveal one category hint at a time or open each complete group when you are ready.
Connections asks you to sort 16 words into four groups of four. The groups are ordered by the familiar yellow, green, blue, and purple difficulty colors, with purple usually containing the trickiest wordplay.
Category clues first
Reveal a clue for each color without uncovering the four words that belong together.
Look for words connected by: Commit A Basketball Violation.
Look for words connected by: Belief.
Look for words connected by: Things Tracked In Video Games.
Look for words connected by: Words After "Pop".
The complete solution
The four groups for July 18, 2026, puzzle #1133, remain hidden until you open them.
CARRY, DOUBLE DRIBBLE, GOALTEND, TRAVEL
ATTITUDE, MIND, OPINION, VIEW
HEALTH, LIVES, SCORE, TIME
CULTURE, FLY, QUIZ, TART
See the grid differently
Connections rewards precision and lateral thinking. These habits help separate intentional groups from the puzzle’s tempting overlaps.
Start with a group whose four members share one precise relationship. Avoid submitting a set merely because its words feel broadly related.
Several words may appear to fit the same theme. Keep an alternative candidate in mind before committing to a group.
Some categories depend on words that precede or follow another word rather than sharing a direct definition.
Purple groups often use beginnings, endings, sounds, spelling patterns, or words concealed inside longer answers.
Once one group is removed, reconsider the remaining words from scratch. The intended relationships often become much clearer.
A fresh arrangement can break visual associations created by neighboring words and reveal a connection you previously missed.
In case you missed it
July 17, 2026 · Puzzle #1132
EPILOGUE, FAREWELL, LAST DANCE, SWAN SONG
CRANE GAME, PINBALL, TICKETS, TOKENS
CARDINAL DIRECTIONS, CLASSICAL ELEMENTS, SEASONS, SUITS
PLOT SPOILER, ROBIN HOOD, SATIRES, TREE TRUNK
Recent solutions
Open any recent date to review its four completed groups.
EPILOGUE, FAREWELL, LAST DANCE, SWAN SONG
CRANE GAME, PINBALL, TICKETS, TOKENS
CARDINAL DIRECTIONS, CLASSICAL ELEMENTS, SEASONS, SUITS
PLOT SPOILER, ROBIN HOOD, SATIRES, TREE TRUNK
CLAY MASK, EYE CREAM, PEEL, TONER
CHARCOAL, INK, JET, PITCH
BULLSEYE, CLOCKWORK, LASER, NEEDLE
DOT MATRIX, PERIOD PIECE, POINT BREAK, SPOT REMOVER
BAR, BENCH, COURT, TRIBUNAL
BASEBALL GLOVE, CORSET, FOOTBALL, SHOE
EXTREME, MOTOR, RACKET, WATER
BREATHING, ELBOW, HEAD, WIGGLE
AGREEMENT, BARGAIN, DEAL, UNDERSTANDING
COPY, CUT, DELETE, PASTE
EASTER, GROCERY, LAUNDRY, PICNIC
RECYCLING, SHUFFLE, THIS SIDE UP, U-TURN
EXAMINE, GRILL, PUMP, QUESTION
BUCKET, DRAWER, MUG, UMBRELLA
FIGARO, PUSS, SALEM, TOM
BUSSIN, KISSER, PECKISH, SMACKDOWN
Keep playing
Good to know
Quick answers about hints, difficulty colors, yesterday’s solution, and recent games.
The current puzzle number and date appear at the top of this page and update with the newest stored Connections game.
Yes. Each difficulty color has an optional category hint. The four complete groups remain hidden in a separate answer section.
Yellow is generally the most direct category, followed by green and blue. Purple usually involves the most difficult association or wordplay.
Yesterday’s four groups appear below the solving tips, followed by compact panels for the five most recent games.
No. Answer Today is an independent puzzle-help website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by The New York Times.
