NYT Connections puzzle #1138 for Thursday, July 23, 2026, mixes airport terminology, everyday objects and hidden word patterns to create several convincing false groups.
The biggest distraction is DEPLANE, which naturally fits the airport theme but belongs in a completely different category.
NYT Connections hints for July 23
- Yellow: Objects that share the same basic shape.
- Green: Words describing someone full of nervous or restless energy.
- Blue: Physical areas found around an airport.
- Purple: Look carefully at the final part of each word.
Main trap: DEPLANE looks like it belongs with airport locations, but it describes an action rather than a place.
Another trap: BASEBALL, MARBLE and ORANGE may suggest sports, toys or food until GLOBE reveals that shape is the real connection.
Today’s NYT Connections answers
Reveal the Yellow Group
Category: Spherical things
Answers: BASEBALL, GLOBE, MARBLE, ORANGE
All four objects are round or approximately spherical. The different sizes and uses make this category easy to overlook.
Reveal the Green Group
Category: In an anxious state
Answers: EXCITED, FEBRILE, FRENETIC, INTENSE
These words describe heightened emotion, nervous energy or agitation. FRENETIC is usually the easiest entry point.
Reveal the Blue Group
Category: Parts of an airport
Answers: APRON, HANGAR, RUNWAY, TERMINAL
Each answer is a physical location or operational area within an airport. DEPLANE was the intended distraction because it refers to leaving an aircraft.
Reveal the Purple Group
Category: Ending in geometry terms
Answers: APPOINT, DEPLANE, FELINE, JANGLE
The endings hide geometry words: POINT, PLANE, LINE and ANGLE.
Why puzzle #1138 was challenging: Several words created believable themes that were ultimately incorrect. DEPLANE looked perfect for the airport category, while BASEBALL and ORANGE encouraged sports and food groupings instead of focusing on shape.
Today’s solving lesson: If one word matches a category only loosely, check whether another relationship is more precise. Connections often separates actions from places and literal meanings from hidden word patterns.
Players can attempt the official daily puzzle on the New York Times Connections page.
Make Swikblog your go-to source on Google for reliable updates, smart insights, and daily trends.
