Issue #1143 Tue 28 Jul
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — July 28, 2026 Today
A steady, rhythmic grid that asks for your full attention. Clear your desk and settle in for a morning of careful sorting.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
The person at the front of the line, the one pointing out the way when everyone else is lost.
Management terminology
Verb synonyms
Members are 4–7 letters; first letters C, D, H, L.
COMMAND
One is CAPTAIN.
CAPTAIN · DIRECT · HEAD · LEAD
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
The produce aisle selection that changes with the season, distinct from the uniform wax-coated options.
Orchard varieties
Examples of one named set
Members are 4–10 letters; first letters E, F, G, H.
HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES
One is EMPIRE.
EMPIRE · FUJI · GALA · HONEYCRISP
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
Four shoeboxes by the door, each stamped with the same oversized first letter.
Retail footwear labels
Examples of one named set
Members are 5–8 letters; first letters C.
SHOE BRANDS STARTING WITH "C"
One is CAMPER.
CAMPER · CLARKS · CONVERSE · CROCS
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
A child reads the name tag in a mirror and grins when nothing seems to change.
Wordplay group
Each starts with a hidden item
Members are 7–9 letters; first letters A, B, E, O.
STARTING WITH PALINDROMIC NAMES
One is ANNAPOLIS.
ANNAPOLIS · BOBSLED · EVEREST · OTTOMAN
Spoiler zone
Complete Connections answer
Open only the solution you want to see. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.
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Reveal the yellow group
COMMANDCAPTAIN · DIRECT · HEAD · LEAD
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Reveal the green group
HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLESEMPIRE · FUJI · GALA · HONEYCRISP
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Reveal the blue group
SHOE BRANDS STARTING WITH "C"CAMPER · CLARKS · CONVERSE · CROCS
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Reveal the violet group
STARTING WITH PALINDROMIC NAMESANNAPOLIS · BOBSLED · EVEREST · OTTOMAN
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for today's Connections. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Connections answer for July 28, 2026, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is today's NYT Connections?
Today's NYT Connections rates 3 out of 4 on our difficulty scale — a tougher-than-average puzzle. As always you sort sixteen words into four colour-coded groups, and our hints tease what links each group without ever naming the words.
What's a spoiler-free hint for NYT Connections today?
The hint ladder above starts with a one-line vibe for each of the four groups, then adds the connecting idea, then the wording of each category. You climb only as far as you need, and no grouped words are shown until the final reveal.
How many groups are in NYT Connections #1143?
Four groups of four, ordered from the gentlest to the trickiest. For the categories and the sixteen words themselves, open the answer section on this page — the hints here keep them hidden.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 4 groups · 16 words
Today on Cluestand
- Connections hints — Jul 28 (this page)
- Strands hints — Jul 28
- Wordle hints — Jul 28
- Framed hints — Jul 28
- Globle hints — Jul 28
- Spelling Bee hints — Jul 28
- Letter Boxed hints — Jul 28
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 4 groups · 16 words