NYT Connections Hints for Monday, July 13, 2026

Monday, July 13, 2026 puzzle #1128. Today's board groups ways to interrogate, things with handles, fictional cats, and words starting with smooches.

Words: UMBRELLA, SALEM, BUCKET, QUESTION, PUSS, GRILL, PUMP, KISSER, MUG, FIGARO, SMACKDOWN, DRAWER, EXAMINE, BUSSIN, TOM, PECKISH

Spoiler-safe Connections hints

Look for verbs used when pressing someone for information.

Reveal Yellow category and answer

Interrogate: EXAMINE, GRILL, PUMP, QUESTION

Examine, grill, pump, and question can all mean to interrogate someone.

Picture everyday objects that commonly include a part you grip.

Reveal Green category and answer

Things with handles: BUCKET, DRAWER, MUG, UMBRELLA

A bucket, drawer, mug, and umbrella each commonly has a handle.

Think of named felines from animation, television, and classic stories.

Reveal Blue category and answer

Fictional cats: FIGARO, PUSS, SALEM, TOM

Figaro, Puss, Salem, and Tom are all fictional cats.

Read the beginning of each word as a synonym for a kiss.

Reveal Purple category and answer

Starting with smooches: BUSSIN, KISSER, PECKISH, SMACKDOWN

BUSSIN, KISSER, PECKISH, and SMACKDOWN start with buss, kiss, peck, and smack, all words for a kiss.