NYT Connections Hints for July 2, 2026 — Puzzle #1117
Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.
Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1117 on July 2, 2026: how many groups there are, a masked theme for each group, then the four categories one at a time, then all sixteen words — the full solution stays hidden until you reveal it.
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:
T _ _ _ I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _O _ _ _ _ _ _ _ N _ _ _ _ F _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ W _ S _ _ _ _ U _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ N _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ V _ _ _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
THEY IMPERSONATE OTHER THINGS
Show theme 2
OLD-TIMEY NAMES FOR THINGS WE STILL USE
Show theme 3
STARTING WITH NICKNAMES
Show theme 4
STARTING WITH SPORTS VENUES
NYT Connections answer for July 2, 2026 — puzzle #1117
THEY IMPERSONATE OTHER THINGS
MOCKINGBIRD, MIME, COPYCAT, T-1000
OLD-TIMEY NAMES FOR THINGS WE STILL USE
LOOKING GLASS, SPECTACLES, TALKIE, WATER CLOSET
STARTING WITH NICKNAMES
TOM-TOM, BILLY GOAT, DAN DAN NOODLES, RICH TEXT
STARTING WITH SPORTS VENUES
FIELD MOUSE, COURT JESTER, TRACK RECORD, DIAMOND RING
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:T _ _ _ I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _O _ _ _ _ _ _ _ N _ _ _ _ F _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ W _ S _ _ _ _ U _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ N _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ S _ _ _ _ _ V _ _ _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1THEY IMPERSONATE OTHER THINGSShow theme 2OLD-TIMEY NAMES FOR THINGS WE STILL USEShow theme 3STARTING WITH NICKNAMESShow theme 4STARTING WITH SPORTS VENUES
Recent NYT Connections puzzles
- September 20, 2026 — #1197
- September 19, 2026 — #1196
- September 18, 2026 — #1195
- September 17, 2026 — #1194
- September 16, 2026 — #1193
- September 15, 2026 — #1192
- September 14, 2026 — #1191
- September 13, 2026 — #1190
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