NYT Connections Hints for July 16, 2026 — Puzzle #1131
Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.
Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1131 on July 16, 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:
S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ O _ B _ _ _ _A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ T _ _ _ M _ _ _ _
3. Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1
SKINCARE PRODUCTS
Show theme 2
SHADES OF BLACK
Show theme 3
ASSOCIATED WITH PRECISION
Show theme 4
STARTING WITH TINY MARKS
NYT Connections answer for July 16, 2026 — puzzle #1131
SKINCARE PRODUCTS
TONER, PEEL, EYE CREAM, CLAY MASK
SHADES OF BLACK
INK, JET, CHARCOAL, PITCH
ASSOCIATED WITH PRECISION
NEEDLE, LASER, BULLSEYE, CLOCKWORK
STARTING WITH TINY MARKS
DOT MATRIX, POINT BREAK, PERIOD PIECE, SPOT REMOVER
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:S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ O _ B _ _ _ _A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ T _ _ _ M _ _ _ _
Reveal a theme, one at a time
Show theme 1SKINCARE PRODUCTSShow theme 2SHADES OF BLACKShow theme 3ASSOCIATED WITH PRECISIONShow theme 4STARTING WITH TINY MARKS
Recent NYT Connections puzzles
- September 20, 2026 — #1197
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- September 17, 2026 — #1194
- September 16, 2026 — #1193
- September 15, 2026 — #1192
- September 14, 2026 — #1191
- September 13, 2026 — #1190
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