Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #1,131 hints and answers for Thursday, July 16, 2026

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

Connections #1,131 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: Watch the longer entries: at least one of these four is a multi-word phrase, which usually points at the shape of the category.

SKINCARE PRODUCTS

CLAY MASK · EYE CREAM · PEEL · TONER

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.

SHADES OF BLACK

CHARCOAL · INK · JET · PITCH

Group 3 - Blue

Hint: Four words, one thread. Say each of the four out loud - the link is usually plainer than it looks.

ASSOCIATED WITH PRECISION

BULLSEYE · CLOCKWORK · LASER · NEEDLE

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 TINY MARKS

DOT MATRIX · PERIOD PIECE · POINT BREAK · SPOT REMOVER

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: ""Rerouting ...""