NYT Connections Today July 17, 2026 (#1132): The New York Times has maintained their word puzzle lovers with Connections, which is a daily puzzle that requires them to apply their vocabulary skills, reasoning ability and observation skills. Launched in 2023, Connections has gained millions of fans around the world and ranks as one of the most popular digital games published by The New York Times along with Wordle. In the game, they are required to categorize 16 words in four categories.
There has been an increase in popularity of word games in recent times, as millions of people play every day to engage their minds with easy yet challenging word games. NYT Connections is one such game which provides rewards for identifying patterns rather than just words. The current puzzle (number 1132) that came out on Friday, July 17, 2026, includes both simple and tricky themes.
What is NYT Connections?
NYT Connections is a daily word puzzle published by The New York Times while players receive 16 seemingly unrelated words and must divide them into four groups of four that share a common relationship.
The puzzle uses four difficulty levels:
- Yellow: Easiest
- Green: Moderate
- Blue: Challenging
- Purple: Most difficult
Players can make only four mistakes before the game ends, making strategy just as important as vocabulary.
How to Play NYT Connections
- Study all 16 words before selecting.
- Identify any clear groupings first.
- Look for common ideas, themes or phrases.
- Beware of words that could apply to multiple groups.
- Turn in only one group of four words at a time.
- Repeat process until all four groups are completed.
Today’s Connections Words for 17 July (Friday)
- CRANE GAME
- SATIRES
- TICKETS
- CARDINAL DIRECTIONS
- SWAN SONG
- SUITS
- ROBIN HOOD
- PLOT SPOILER
- TREE TRUNK
- TOKENS
- SEASONS
- EPILOGUE
- LAST DANCE
- CLASSICAL ELEMENTS
- FAREWELL
- PINBALL
Today’s Connections Hints for 17 July (Friday)
- Yellow: Think about something that marks the ending.
- Green: Items commonly found inside an entertainment arcade.
- Blue: Sets that naturally contain four members.
- Purple: Words ending with automobile component names.
NYT Connections Answers for 17 July (#1132)
- Yellow – GRAND FINALE
- EPILOGUE
- FAREWELL
- LAST DANCE
- SWAN SONG
- Green – SEEN IN AN ARCADE
- CRANE GAME
- PINBALL
- TICKETS
- TOKENS
- Blue – FOUR GROUPS OF FOUR
- CARDINAL DIRECTIONS
- CLASSICAL ELEMENTS
- SEASONS
- SUITS
- Purple – ENDING IN PARTS OF A CAR
- PLOT SPOILER
- ROBIN HOOD
- SATIRES
- TREE TRUNK
Yesterday’s NYT Connections Answers for 16 July (#1131)
- Yellow – SKINCARE PRODUCTS
- CLAY MASK
- EYE CREAM
- PEEL
- TONER
- Green – SHADES OF BLACK
- CHARCOAL
- INK
- JET
- PITCH
- Blue – ASSOCIATED WITH PRECISION
- BULLSEYE
- CLOCKWORK
- LASER
- NEEDLE
- Purple – STARTING WITH TINY MARKS
- DOT MATRIX
- PERIOD PIECE
- POINT BREAK
- SPOT REMOVER
Tips to Solve NYT Connections
- Carefully read all words before making any selections.
- Try to find an easy group to begin with.
- Look out for words that have multiple meanings.
- Remember idiomatic phrases and word patterns.
- Once you have identified some definite groups, eliminate them.
- Do not rush, as most word puzzles will contain distractions.
FAQ’s – NYT Connections
1. What time does NYT Connections reset?
A new puzzle becomes available daily at midnight local time.
2. How many mistakes are allowed?
Players can make up to four incorrect guesses.
3. Is NYT Connections free to play?
Yes, the daily puzzle is available online, though some NYT features require a subscription.
4. Which category is usually the hardest?
Purple is generally the most challenging because it often relies on wordplay.
5. Why has Connections become so popular?
Its simple format, daily challenge and social sharing have helped attract millions of puzzle enthusiasts worldwide.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is independently written. NYT Connections is a trademark of The New York Times.