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NYT Connections · #1145

NYT Connections Hints & Answers (#1145) — July 30, 2026

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Earlier Jul 29 This puzzle Jul 30 Later Jul 31

“Match any words that could be brand or company names before sorting the rest.BINGO has appeared several times before — as games of chance in Connections #969 (Feb 4, 2026), and as response to a correct answer in Connections #81 (Aug 31, 2023).”

NYT Connections hints for July 30, 2026

Three levels of help — a definition for every word, colour-coded group nudges, and a heads-up on the traps. Skip to all answers →

1

Word clues

A spoiler-free definition for every word in the grid. Tap the eye on any card to reveal which colour-group it belongs to.

1 BEER PONGThe plain-vanilla member of the group; no twist here.
2 BINGOThe plain-vanilla member of the group; no twist here.
3 CARNIVALLooks like a fairground event, but here it's the cruise line.
4 CELEBRITYThe plain-vanilla member of the group; no twist here.
5 DOTYou're probably thinking of a small spot, but here it completes a phrase for exactly on time.
6 FAIRThe plain-vanilla member of the group; no twist here.
7 GOODThe plain-vanilla member of the group; no twist here.
8 JUGGLINGThe plain-vanilla member of the group; no twist here.
9 JUSTThe plain-vanilla member of the group; no twist here.
10 MARKYou're probably thinking of a grade or target, but here it completes a phrase for exactly correct.
11 MONEYYou're probably thinking of currency, but here it completes a phrase for precisely accurate.
12 NOSEYou're probably thinking of a facial feature, but here it completes a phrase for exactly right.
13 POOLLooks like a swimming spot or fund, but here it's the game with many balls.
14 PRINCESSThe plain-vanilla member of the group; no twist here.
15 RIGHTLooks like it belongs with purple phrases, but here it means virtuous.
16 VIKINGThe plain-vanilla member of the group; no twist here.
2

Group hints

Four colour-coded groups, easiest → hardest. Every button reveals the hint, the category name, or a single word — tap only what you need.

See Hint What a judge or referee tries to be.
See Group VIRTUOUS
See WordFAIR
See WordGOOD
See WordJUST
See WordRIGHT
See Hint You might need a cue stick or pins for these.
See Group ACTIVITIES WITH MULTIPLE BALLS
See WordBEER PONG
See WordBINGO
See WordJUGGLING
See WordPOOL
See Hint Names you might see on a ship's funnel.
See Group CRUISE LINES
See WordCARNIVAL
See WordCELEBRITY
See WordPRINCESS
See WordVIKING
See Hint Ways to say something lands exactly where it should.
See Group ON THE ___, TO MEAN "PRECISE"
See WordDOT
See WordMARK
See WordMONEY
See WordNOSE
3

Words the puzzle wants you to mis-group

Read these before you guess — they're the words most likely to break a streak. Tap for the trap.

1 DOT Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of a small spot or period, but here the puzzle is using it as part of a phrase instead.
2 MARK Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of a grade or target, but here the puzzle is using it as part of a phrase instead.
3 MONEY Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of currency, but here the puzzle is using it as part of a phrase instead.
4 NOSE Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of a facial feature, but here the puzzle is using it as part of a phrase instead.

NYT Connections answers for July 30, 2026

All four groups revealed, easiest first. Each card holds the theme, the four words, and why the group works.

Y VIRTUOUS · Yellow · easiest
  • FAIR
  • GOOD
  • JUST
  • RIGHT

FAIR, GOOD, JUST and RIGHT all mean virtuous or moral. RIGHT is the one that trips people up first because it also fits a purple phrase.

G ACTIVITIES WITH MULTIPLE BALLS · Green · easy
  • BEER PONG
  • BINGO
  • JUGGLING
  • POOL

BEER PONG, BINGO, JUGGLING and POOL are all activities or games that use multiple balls. BINGO is the sneakiest because most people picture cards instead of the balls used in the game.

B CRUISE LINES · Blue · medium
  • CARNIVAL
  • CELEBRITY
  • PRINCESS
  • VIKING

CARNIVAL, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS and VIKING are all names of major cruise lines. CARNIVAL is the one that tempts a mix-up with green because of carnival games.

P ON THE ___, TO MEAN "PRECISE" · Purple · hardest
  • DOT
  • MARK
  • MONEY
  • NOSE

DOT, MARK, MONEY and NOSE complete phrases that all mean precise. MONEY is the star here because the trap phrase right on the money pulls solvers toward the yellow words first.

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