NYT Connections Hint Today: Puzzle #1140 (July 25, 2026)
forbes connections hint today
If you’re searching for a Connections hint today, you’re in good company. The New York Times word-grouping game has become a daily ritual for millions of players, and even seasoned solvers hit a wall now and then. Today’s puzzle, #1140 for Saturday, July 25, 2026, is no exception — it mixes a straightforward category with a couple of sneaky wordplay twists that trip people up.
Below you’ll find gentle hints first, so you can try to solve it yourself, followed by the full answers if you’d rather skip straight to the solution. Either way, you’ll keep your streak intact without wasting your morning staring at 16 words.
What Is NYT Connections?
Connections is a daily puzzle from The New York Times Games section. You’re given a grid of 16 words or short phrases and asked to sort them into four hidden groups of four. Each group shares a theme — sometimes literal, sometimes a play on words — and the categories range in difficulty from yellow (easiest) to purple (hardest). Guess wrong four times and the puzzle is over, which is exactly why a well-timed hint can save your daily streak.
Today’s Connections Hints (No Spoilers Yet)
Before jumping to the answers, here are category-level hints for puzzle #1140. These point you in the right direction without giving everything away.
Yellow Group Hint
Think family members, but in a different language. This category rewards anyone with basic Spanish vocabulary.
Green Group Hint
Each word can follow the same short word to describe getting emotional or choked up.
Blue Group Hint
This one’s about money — specifically, currencies used in different African nations. Geography buffs will have an edge here.
Purple Group Hint
The trickiest category today plays on a single word that can be paired with several unrelated terms — think entertainment venues, card games, and shopping destinations.
If those hints didn’t quite land, don’t worry. The purple category in particular is designed to mislead, since a couple of these words could plausibly fit more than one group.
Today’s Connections Answers (Spoilers Ahead)
Still stuck? Here’s the full breakdown for Connections #1140, from easiest to hardest.
- Yellow – Spanish Relatives: ABUELA, HIJO, MADRE, PRIMO
- Green – Start to Cry, With “Up”: CHOKE, MIST, TEAR, WELL
- Blue – African Currencies: KWANZA, LEONE, NAIRA, RAND
- Purple – Strip ___: CLUB, MALL, POKER, STEAK
The purple group is the classic Connections curveball. Words like MALL and CLUB could easily be mistaken for other categories, and that overlap is exactly what makes the puzzle satisfying once it clicks.
Why Today’s Puzzle Trips People Up
A few things make #1140 harder than it first appears:
- Overlapping vocabulary. “Club” could suggest nightlife, sports, or a shopping category, so it’s tempting to misplace it early.
- Language crossover. The Spanish relatives group looks simple, but a rushed player might confuse it with general family terms in English.
- Abstract wordplay. The green category isn’t about literal crying — it’s about words that pair with “up” to mean getting emotional, which takes a second to parse.
Recognizing these patterns is half the battle with Connections. The game consistently rewards players who slow down and ask, “What else could this word mean?” before locking in a guess.
Tips to Solve Connections Faster
Whether you’re chasing a long win streak or just want to finish before your coffee gets cold, these strategies help:
- Start with the group you’re most confident about. Locking in an easy win early reduces the number of words left to second-guess.
- Watch for words that seem too obvious. Connections puzzles often use them as bait for a harder, less literal category.
- Say category themes out loud. Wordplay categories, like today’s “Start to Cry, With Up,” often become clearer when spoken rather than read.
- Use your mistakes strategically. If you’re unsure between two groups, testing the less risky option first preserves guesses for the trickier calls.
- Take a short break if you’re stuck. Coming back with fresh eyes after a few minutes often reveals a connection you missed.
Final Thoughts
Today’s Connections puzzle, #1140, blends an easy language-based category with a purple twist that’s built to challenge even daily regulars. Whether you used the hints above to solve it yourself or jumped straight to the answers, the goal is the same: keep the streak alive and come back tomorrow for a fresh set of 16 words.
Looking for more help with your daily word games? Check back regularly for updated Connections hints, along with tips for other popular NYT puzzles like Wordle and the Mini Crossword.
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