NYT Connections Hints and Answers — Wednesday, July 15, 2026 (Puzzle #1130)
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🧩 NYT Connections Answers Today — July 15, 2026 (Puzzle #1130)
Here are the complete answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle, Wednesday, July 15, 2026:
- 🟨 Yellow – KINDS OF SPORTS: EXTREME, MOTOR, RACKET, WATER
- 🟩 Green – TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM: BAR, BENCH, COURT, TRIBUNAL
- 🟦 Blue – THINGS WITH LACES: BASEBALL GLOVE, CORSET, FOOTBALL, SHOE
- 🟪 Purple – WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE: BREATHING, ELBOW, HEAD, WIGGLE
Want to try solving it yourself first? Scroll down for progressive spoiler-free hints before seeing the full breakdown.
Welcome to today's NYT Connections hints and answers guide for Wednesday, July 15, 2026. If you're stuck on Puzzle #1130, you're in the right place. We'll start with spoiler-free progressive hints so you can try to figure it out on your own, then reveal the full Connections answers for today with a detailed explanation of each group.
📌 Key Takeaways — Puzzle #1130
- Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
- Puzzle Number: #1130
- Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium)
- Trickiest Category: Purple — WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE
- Easiest Category: Yellow — KINDS OF SPORTS
- Red Herring Warning: Beware of sports overlap! Solvers might easily stumble by trying to link COURT (Legal) and RACKET (Sports) into a tennis or basketball sub-theme. Similarly, FOOTBALL and BASEBALL GLOVE could tempt you to build an American sports theme, but looking closer at their physical construction reveals their true connection to the laces category.
📖 In This Guide
- Tap-to-Reveal Word Hints (Interactive Grid)
- Spoiler-Free Category Hints
- Progressive Category Reveal
- Traps & Misdirects
- One-Word Hints for Each Group
- Two-Away Hints (Almost There)
- Full Answers & Solution Revealed
- Per-Word Explanations & Definitions
- Difficulty Analysis & Strategy Tips
- How to Play NYT Connections
- FAQ
🔮 Connections Hint for Each Word Today — July 15, 2026
Tap any word to see its Connections hint — what it means in today's puzzle, no spoilers. Uncover all 16 to fill the progress bar.
COURT Connections Hint Today
COURT belongs to the Green group ("TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM".
Definition: COURT is one of the four words in the "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM" category. While COURT has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM".
BENCH Connections Hint Today
BENCH belongs to the Green group ("TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM".
Definition: BENCH is one of the four words in the "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM" category. While BENCH has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM".
TRIBUNAL Connections Hint Today
TRIBUNAL belongs to the Green group ("TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM".
Definition: TRIBUNAL is one of the four words in the "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM" category. While TRIBUNAL has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM".
MOTOR Connections Hint Today
MOTOR belongs to the Yellow group ("KINDS OF SPORTS"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "KINDS OF SPORTS".
Definition: MOTOR is one of the four words in the "KINDS OF SPORTS" category. While MOTOR has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "KINDS OF SPORTS".
WATER Connections Hint Today
WATER belongs to the Yellow group ("KINDS OF SPORTS"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "KINDS OF SPORTS".
Definition: WATER is one of the four words in the "KINDS OF SPORTS" category. While WATER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "KINDS OF SPORTS".
FOOTBALL Connections Hint Today
FOOTBALL belongs to the Blue group ("THINGS WITH LACES"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "THINGS WITH LACES".
Definition: FOOTBALL is one of the four words in the "THINGS WITH LACES" category. While FOOTBALL has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THINGS WITH LACES".
HEAD Connections Hint Today
HEAD belongs to the Purple group ("WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE".
Definition: HEAD is one of the four words in the "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE" category. While HEAD has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE".
BREATHING Connections Hint Today
BREATHING belongs to the Purple group ("WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE".
Definition: BREATHING is one of the four words in the "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE" category. While BREATHING has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE".
ELBOW Connections Hint Today
ELBOW belongs to the Purple group ("WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE".
Definition: ELBOW is one of the four words in the "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE" category. While ELBOW has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE".
EXTREME Connections Hint Today
EXTREME belongs to the Yellow group ("KINDS OF SPORTS"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "KINDS OF SPORTS".
Definition: EXTREME is one of the four words in the "KINDS OF SPORTS" category. While EXTREME has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "KINDS OF SPORTS".
CORSET Connections Hint Today
CORSET belongs to the Blue group ("THINGS WITH LACES"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "THINGS WITH LACES".
Definition: CORSET is one of the four words in the "THINGS WITH LACES" category. While CORSET has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THINGS WITH LACES".
SHOE Connections Hint Today
SHOE belongs to the Blue group ("THINGS WITH LACES"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "THINGS WITH LACES".
Definition: SHOE is one of the four words in the "THINGS WITH LACES" category. While SHOE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THINGS WITH LACES".
BASEBALL GLOVE Connections Hint Today
BASEBALL GLOVE belongs to the Blue group ("THINGS WITH LACES"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "THINGS WITH LACES".
Definition: BASEBALL GLOVE is one of the four words in the "THINGS WITH LACES" category. While BASEBALL GLOVE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THINGS WITH LACES".
BAR Connections Hint Today
BAR belongs to the Green group ("TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM".
Definition: BAR is one of the four words in the "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM" category. While BAR has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM".
WIGGLE Connections Hint Today
WIGGLE belongs to the Purple group ("WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE".
Definition: WIGGLE is one of the four words in the "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE" category. While WIGGLE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE".
RACKET Connections Hint Today
RACKET belongs to the Yellow group ("KINDS OF SPORTS"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "KINDS OF SPORTS".
Definition: RACKET is one of the four words in the "KINDS OF SPORTS" category. While RACKET has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "KINDS OF SPORTS".
COURT belongs to the Green group ("TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM"). Don't let its everyday meaning mislead you — in today's puzzle, think about how it connects to the theme of "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM".
⚠️ Red Herring Alert: Beware of sports overlap! Solvers might easily stumble by trying to link COURT (Legal) and RACKET (Sports) into a tennis or basketball sub-theme. Similarly, FOOTBALL and BASEBALL GLOVE could tempt you to build an American sports theme, but looking closer at their physical construction reveals their true connection to the laces category.
💡 Spoiler-Free Hints — NYT Connections July 15, 2026
Not ready for the full answer? Try these progressive hints for today's Connections puzzle. We start vague and get more specific.
🟨 Yellow Group Hint
Theme Hint: Think about the broad categories, environments, or modalities used to classify different types of athletic and competitive activities.
🟩 Green Group Hint
Theme Hint: These vocabulary words are all deeply rooted in the judiciary, formal legal proceedings, and the official settings where justice is administered.
🟦 Blue Group Hint
Theme Hint: Every single item in this category shares a specific physical design feature: they all rely on interwoven strings, cords, or fasteners to be tightened or secured.
🟪 Purple Group Hint
Theme Hint: Each of these words can be placed directly before a common four-letter word for a physical area to create a familiar phrase meaning clearance, flexibility, or freedom.
🔓 Reveal Answers Progressively
Reveal each group step-by-step. Click "See Hint", then "See Group Name", then individual words.
Yellow Connections Hint Today
Think about the broad categories, environments, or modalities used to classify different types of athletic and competitive activities.
Green Connections Hint Today
These vocabulary words are all deeply rooted in the judiciary, formal legal proceedings, and the official settings where justice is administered.
Blue Connections Hint Today
Every single item in this category shares a specific physical design feature: they all rely on interwoven strings, cords, or fasteners to be tightened or secured.
Purple Connections Hint Today
Each of these words can be placed directly before a common four-letter word for a physical area to create a familiar phrase meaning clearance, flexibility, or freedom.
⚠️ Traps & Misdirects in Today's Connections
Today's puzzle includes words intentionally placed to misdirect you. These trap hints reveal which words are designed to mislead, so you don't burn your 4 allowed mistakes on deliberate decoys.
Beware of sports overlap! Solvers might easily stumble by trying to link COURT (Legal) and RACKET (Sports) into a tennis or basketball sub-theme. Similarly, FOOTBALL and BASEBALL GLOVE could tempt you to build an American sports theme, but looking closer at their physical construction reveals their true connection to the laces category.
Words like EXTREME and BAR might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. EXTREME is part of "KINDS OF SPORTS" while BAR belongs to "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM". Don't group them together.
Words like EXTREME and BASEBALL GLOVE might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. EXTREME is part of "KINDS OF SPORTS" while BASEBALL GLOVE belongs to "THINGS WITH LACES". Don't group them together.
Words like EXTREME and BREATHING might seem related at first glance, but they belong to completely different categories. EXTREME is part of "KINDS OF SPORTS" while BREATHING belongs to "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE". Don't group them together.
🔑 One-Word Hints for Each Group
Still need a nudge? Here's one word that describes each group's theme:
🟨 Yellow
KINDS OF SPORTS
🟩 Green
TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM
🟦 Blue
THINGS WITH LACES
🟪 Purple
WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE
🔥 Two-Away Hints — Almost the Full Answer
Last chance before the full reveal. Here are two members of each group:
| Group | Two Revealed Words | Can You Find the Other Two? |
|---|---|---|
| 🟨 Yellow | EXTREME, MOTOR | What other words fit the "KINDS OF SPORTS" theme? |
| 🟩 Green | BAR, BENCH | What other words fit the "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM" theme? |
| 🟦 Blue | BASEBALL GLOVE, CORSET | What other words fit the "THINGS WITH LACES" theme? |
| 🟪 Purple | BREATHING, ELBOW | What other words fit the "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE" theme? |
✅ Full Answers — NYT Connections Today, July 15, 2026 (Puzzle #1130)
Here are the complete NYT Connections answers for today, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Puzzle #1130 is fully solved below.
🟨 Yellow — KINDS OF SPORTS
🟩 Green — TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM
🟦 Blue — THINGS WITH LACES
🟪 Purple — WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE
🔍 Per-Word Explanations — Every Answer Defined
Let's dive deep into every word in today's Connections Puzzle #1130 — what each word means, why it belongs to its group, and how the puzzle uses it.
🟨 Yellow (Easiest) — KINDS OF SPORTS
The easiest category is "KINDS OF SPORTS". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
EXTREME
EXTREME is one of the four words in the "KINDS OF SPORTS" category. While EXTREME has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "KINDS OF SPORTS".
MOTOR
MOTOR is one of the four words in the "KINDS OF SPORTS" category. While MOTOR has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "KINDS OF SPORTS".
RACKET
RACKET is one of the four words in the "KINDS OF SPORTS" category. While RACKET has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "KINDS OF SPORTS".
WATER
WATER is one of the four words in the "KINDS OF SPORTS" category. While WATER has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "KINDS OF SPORTS".
🟩 Green (Medium) — TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM
The medium category is "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
BAR
BAR is one of the four words in the "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM" category. While BAR has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM".
BENCH
BENCH is one of the four words in the "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM" category. While BENCH has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM".
COURT
COURT is one of the four words in the "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM" category. While COURT has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM".
TRIBUNAL
TRIBUNAL is one of the four words in the "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM" category. While TRIBUNAL has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM".
🟦 Blue (Hard) — THINGS WITH LACES
The hard category is "THINGS WITH LACES". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
BASEBALL GLOVE
BASEBALL GLOVE is one of the four words in the "THINGS WITH LACES" category. While BASEBALL GLOVE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THINGS WITH LACES".
CORSET
CORSET is one of the four words in the "THINGS WITH LACES" category. While CORSET has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THINGS WITH LACES".
FOOTBALL
FOOTBALL is one of the four words in the "THINGS WITH LACES" category. While FOOTBALL has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THINGS WITH LACES".
SHOE
SHOE is one of the four words in the "THINGS WITH LACES" category. While SHOE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "THINGS WITH LACES".
🟪 Purple (Hardest) — WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE
The hardest category is "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE". Here's what each word means and why it belongs:
BREATHING
BREATHING is one of the four words in the "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE" category. While BREATHING has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE".
ELBOW
ELBOW is one of the four words in the "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE" category. While ELBOW has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE".
HEAD
HEAD is one of the four words in the "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE" category. While HEAD has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE".
WIGGLE
WIGGLE is one of the four words in the "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE" category. While WIGGLE has many common meanings, in this Connections puzzle it specifically relates to the concept of "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE".
📊 Difficulty Analysis & Strategy Tips
| Group | Difficulty | Solve Order |
|---|---|---|
| 🟨 Yellow — KINDS OF SPORTS | ⭐ Easy | Solve FIRST — the easiest category |
| 🟩 Green — TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM | ⭐⭐ Medium | Solve SECOND |
| 🟦 Blue — THINGS WITH LACES | ⭐⭐⭐ Hard | Solve THIRD |
| 🟪 Purple — WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Hard | Solve LAST or by elimination |
🎯 Pro Strategy for Puzzle #1130
The best strategy today is to isolate the types of sports first to clear out the low-hanging fruit. Once EXTREME, MOTOR, RACKET, and WATER are off the board, it becomes much easier to see that FOOTBALL and BASEBALL GLOVE belong with physical objects rather than athletic categories. Leave the abstract "____ Room" fill-in-the-blank group for last, as it is the trickiest to solve outright.
🎮 How to Play NYT Connections
New to the game? Here's a quick guide:
1️⃣
Study the 16 Words
Find four groups of four related words in the 4×4 grid.
2️⃣
Select & Submit
Tap four words you think belong together and hit "Submit."
3️⃣
4 Mistakes Max
Wrong guesses cost a life. After 4 mistakes, the game ends.
4️⃣
Solve All Four
Yellow = easiest, Purple = hardest. Solve all four to win!
🗞️ What Is NYT Connections?
NYT Connections is a daily word puzzle game created by Wyna Liu and published by The New York Times. Launched in mid-2023, it has become one of the most popular word games online alongside Wordle. Each puzzle presents 16 words that must be organized into four groups of four sharing a common theme.
- 🟨 Yellow — Easiest (straightforward connections)
- 🟩 Green — Medium difficulty
- 🟦 Blue — Hard (tricky connections or wordplay)
- 🟪 Purple — Hardest (often abstract, suffix/prefix patterns, or obscure links)
📅 Yesterday's Answers — Puzzle #1145
- 🟨 Virtuous: FAIR, GOOD, JUST, RIGHT
- 🟩 Activities With Multiple Balls: BEER PONG, BINGO, JUGGLING, POOL
- 🟦 Cruise Lines: CARNIVAL, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, VIKING
- 🟪 On the ___, To Mean "Precise": DOT, MARK, MONEY, NOSE
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Connections July 15, 2026
The answers for NYT Connections Puzzle #1130 (July 15, 2026) are: 🟨 Yellow (KINDS OF SPORTS): EXTREME, MOTOR, RACKET, WATER | 🟩 Green (TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM): BAR, BENCH, COURT, TRIBUNAL | 🟦 Blue (THINGS WITH LACES): BASEBALL GLOVE, CORSET, FOOTBALL, SHOE | 🟪 Purple (WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE): BREATHING, ELBOW, HEAD, WIGGLE.
The yellow category in today's Connections (July 15, 2026) is "KINDS OF SPORTS" and the four answers are EXTREME, MOTOR, RACKET, WATER.
The purple category in today's Connections (July 15, 2026) is "WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE" and the answers are BREATHING, ELBOW, HEAD, WIGGLE.
A new NYT Connections puzzle is released every day at midnight Eastern Time (ET). That's 9:00 PM Pacific, 5:00 AM BST, or 2:00 PM AEST. Bookmark this page for daily hints!
You are allowed up to 4 mistakes. After 4 incorrect guesses, the game ends and all remaining answers are revealed. Start with Yellow (easiest) to minimize errors.
The colors indicate difficulty: 🟨 Yellow is the easiest, 🟩 Green is moderate, 🟦 Blue is tricky, and 🟪 Purple is the hardest (often involving wordplay or abstract connections).
Yes! NYT Connections is free to play daily on The New York Times website and app. No subscription is required. You can also play unlimited sports-themed puzzles for free at ConnectionsSports.com.
As of July 15, 2026, there have been 1,130 NYT Connections puzzles since the game launched on June 12, 2023.
🏆 That's Today's NYT Connections Solved — Puzzle #1130
Come back tomorrow for Puzzle #1131 — we'll have fresh hints and answers waiting for you right here!
Questions or feedback? Contact Ranjit Kumar — puzzle architect and creator of ConnectionsSports.com.
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