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NYT Connections Puzzle #1146 — Answers & Solution
Friday, July 31, 2026 · Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hard
🧩 NYT Connections Puzzle #1146 — Complete Answers
- 🟨 Yellow – CONSTRUCT: FASHION, MODEL, MOLD, SHAPE
- 🟩 Green – SUPER MARIO FIGURES: DINOSAUR, MUSHROOM, PLUMBER, PRINCESS
- 🟦 Blue – FRUITS PLUS STARTING LETTER: DAPPLE, JDATE, SLIME, SPEAR
- 🟪 Purple – STARTING WITH MERRIMENTS: CHEERIOS, FUNGUS, GLEEK, JOYSTICK
📋 All 16 Words — Puzzle #1146
✅ Full Answers — Puzzle #1146
🟨 Yellow — CONSTRUCT
🟩 Green — SUPER MARIO FIGURES
🟦 Blue — FRUITS PLUS STARTING LETTER
🟪 Purple — STARTING WITH MERRIMENTS
🔍 Detailed Breakdown
🟨 Yellow (Easiest) — CONSTRUCT
The easiest category in Puzzle #1146 is "CONSTRUCT". The four words are:
- FASHION
- MODEL
- MOLD
- SHAPE
🟩 Green (Medium) — SUPER MARIO FIGURES
The medium category in Puzzle #1146 is "SUPER MARIO FIGURES". The four words are:
- DINOSAUR
- MUSHROOM
- PLUMBER
- PRINCESS
🟦 Blue (Hard) — FRUITS PLUS STARTING LETTER
The hard category in Puzzle #1146 is "FRUITS PLUS STARTING LETTER". The four words are:
- DAPPLE
- JDATE
- SLIME
- SPEAR
🟪 Purple (Hardest) — STARTING WITH MERRIMENTS
The hardest category in Puzzle #1146 is "STARTING WITH MERRIMENTS". The four words are:
- CHEERIOS
- FUNGUS
- GLEEK
- JOYSTICK
🎯 Strategy Tips for Puzzle #1146
Puzzle #1146 ranks 4/5 on the difficulty scale. Lock in Yellow (Construct) first to clear the physical verbs. Next, group the 4 Super Mario elements (Dinosaur = Yoshi, Mushroom = Toad, Plumber = Mario, Princess = Peach). This leaves Blue and Purple, where word structure analysis (prefixes and hidden words) will carry you across the finish line.
⚠️ Red Herring Warning: Watch out for FUNGUS and MUSHROOM! While both refer to fungi, MUSHROOM goes with the Mario theme while FUNGUS starts with "FUN" (a merriment word). Also, don't pair MODEL with PRINCESS or FASHION for a runway theme!
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