Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #1,116 hints and answers for Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Edited by Wyna Liu · Groups listed easiest to hardest: yellow, green, blue, purple

Connections #1,116 puts four groups of four on the board, running from the yellow group through to purple. For each group below: read the hint first, then show the category name when you want it, then the four words.

Group 1 - Yellow

Hint: One thread ties these four together. It is a fair link, not a trick - think about what the words can all be or do.

THINGS NAMED AFTER PLACES

CHAMPAGNE · CHINA · COLOGNE · LIMERICK

Group 2 - Green

Hint: These four belong together for one clean reason. If two of them pair up in your head first, let the other two confirm it.

BEST PICTURE WINNERS/NOMINEES

CASABLANCA · CHICAGO · FARGO · MUNICH

Group 3 - Blue

Hint: Watch the longer entries: at least one of these four is a multi-word phrase, which usually points at the shape of the category.

PLACES IN COCKTAIL NAMES

CUBA · LONG ISLAND · MOSCOW · SINGAPORE

Group 4 - Purple

Hint: Watch the longer entries: at least one of these four is a multi-word phrase, which usually points at the shape of the category.

STARTING WITH COUNTRIES

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC · GUINEA-BISSAU · INDIANAPOLIS · NIGERIA

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "Not a red herring"