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Verified archive for June 18, 2026 Spoiler-safePuzzle #1103

NYT Connections Hints and Answers for June 18, 2026

Connections puzzle #1103 mixes familiar fitness formats and descriptions of outward manner with four major peace activists and a final set defined by letter removal.

Guide editorNora BennettSenior Editor

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4 groups
Group 1Category hidden
Group 2Category hidden
Group 3Category hidden
Group 4Category hidden

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Open today’s solving plan
  1. Prefer an exact rule.A shared topic is only a lead. Look for four words connected in the same precise way.
  2. Find the least flexible word.Use the word with the narrowest meaning to place words that could belong in several groups.
  3. Test the grammar.If the leftovers look unrelated, try placing one common word before or after each answer.

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  1. 1
    Start with a small hint

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  2. 2
    Ask for a stronger hint

    Use a more specific clue before revealing the category.

  3. 3
    Reveal only what you choose

    Open the category, then the four words only when you are ready.

You remain in control. You can move between levels without revealing the rest of the puzzle.

Practice board guide

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This scratchpad checks your thinking locally. It never sends a guess to the official puzzle.

  1. 1
    Choose four words

    Tap any four tiles that share one precise connection.

  2. 2
    Check the set

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  3. 3
    Keep it or adjust

    A correct group is confirmed. If it misses, swap one word or open a hint.

Nothing here affects an official streak. Clear the board at any time and try another four.

Today’s puzzle explained

Connections #1103 overview

Edited by Wyna Liu, puzzle #1103 uses BARRE versus PLIE as its sharpest visible trap. The purple group requires restoring two final letters: HAMMER, JIGSAW, PLIERS, and WRENCH.

Overall difficultyModerate, with a demanding wordplay finishBiggest trapBARRE and PLIE invite a ballet pairing, while BEARING and CARRIAGE can both suggest physical posture or movement.Best first moveStart with the four internationally recognized peace activists, then separate the fitness formats from the posture-related decoys.

Why the board is deceptive

The board offers several body-and-movement associations, making the fitness and demeanor groups overlap at first glance.

The cleanest route runs through the people before resolving the literal tool-name truncations in the final group.

Open the clean solving route

One way through the board

Lock in GANDHI, KING, MANDELA, and TUTU as peace activists. Next collect the clear class formats, leaving the demeanor terms and four shortened tool names to separate by definition and spelling.

Spoilers below

Today’s groups and answers

Each group stays hidden until you choose to open it. Reveal one at a time, or keep this section closed while you continue solving.

Ways to work out in a group settingReveal this group

What connects AEROBICS, BARRE, BOOTCAMP and PILATES?

AEROBICS · BARRE · BOOTCAMP · PILATES

FITNESS CLASS TYPES. All four are types of organized fitness classes, ranging from rhythmic aerobic exercise to studio and intensive group formats.

Best anchor: Recognizable exercise class formats

How someone carries themselvesReveal this group

What connects ATTITUDE, BEARING, CARRIAGE and PRESENCE?

ATTITUDE · BEARING · CARRIAGE · PRESENCE

DEMEANOR. Each word can describe a person's outward manner, posture, or the impression they make on other people.

Best anchor: Terms for a person's outward manner

Figures associated with nonviolent struggle and peaceReveal this group

What connects GANDHI, KING, MANDELA and TUTU?

GANDHI · KING · MANDELA · TUTU

PEACE ACTIVISTS. These last names belong to famous peace activists: Mahatma Gandhi; Martin Luther King Jr.; Nelson Mandela; Desmond Tutu.

Best anchor: Four internationally known peace activists

Workshop items after a two-letter trimReveal this group

What connects HAMM, JIGS, PLIE and WREN?

HAMM · JIGS · PLIE · WREN

TOOLS MINUS LAST TWO LETTERS. Adding two letters to each fragment produces a tool: HAMMER, JIGSAW, PLIERS, and WRENCH, respectively.

Best anchor: Names of tools with last two letters removed.

How to solve this Connections puzzle

The thinking route, not just the answers

Use today’s anchor words as a repeatable method: secure an exact group, remove it, and let the remaining board become more specific.

  1. 1
    FITNESS CLASS TYPES

    Recognizable exercise class formats

  2. 2
    DEMEANOR

    Terms for a person's outward manner

  3. 3
    PEACE ACTIVISTS

    Four internationally known peace activists

  4. 4
    TOOLS MINUS LAST TWO LETTERS

    Names of tools with last two letters removed.

Mental model to reuse tomorrow

Exact relationship beats shared topic

Weak rule“These words feel related.”A broad topic can support several tempting but unstable groups.

Strong rule“The same test works for all four.”One precise relationship should explain every answer in the same way.

Today’s best first move: Start with the four internationally recognized peace activists, then separate the fitness formats from the posture-related decoys..

Build your solving vocabulary

Four anchors worth spotting

An anchor is the least flexible word in a possible group. It often exposes the intended relationship before the more ambiguous words do.

Straightforward once BARRE is separated from the ballet decoy groupWays to work out in a group setting
FITNESS CLASS TYPES: Recognizable exercise class formats
Moderate because several words also have physical or mechanical senses groupHow someone carries themselves
DEMEANOR: Terms for a person's outward manner
Moderate recognition group with one especially ambiguous surname groupFigures associated with nonviolent struggle and peace
PEACE ACTIVISTS: Four internationally known peace activists
Hard wordplay requiring each fragment to be extended differently groupWorkshop items after a two-letter trim
TOOLS MINUS LAST TWO LETTERS: Names of tools with last two letters removed.

Questions players ask

Connections help without extra spoilers

I’m stuck. Which hint should I open first?

Start with the small hint for the group you feel closest to solving. Use the stronger hint only if the first nudge is not enough, then reveal the category or four words when you want confirmation.

What should I do when five words seem to belong together?

Assume one is a red herring. Look for the word with a strong second meaning, then test whether it forms a cleaner group elsewhere.

What does “Test a group” do?

Select four words and choose “Check these four” to see whether your grouping works. It stays on this page and never submits a guess to the official puzzle or affects a streak.

Do I need to solve the groups in difficulty order?

No. Start with the clearest exact set. Removing an obvious group often exposes the overlapping meanings and wordplay in the harder groups.

Can I check one answer without spoiling the whole puzzle?

Yes. Every group opens independently, so you can reveal one hint, category or set of four words while keeping the other groups hidden.

About the guide editor

Nora Bennett

An editor focused on spoiler-conscious daily puzzle guides and plain-English solving explanations.

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