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Verified archive for June 27, 2026 Spoiler-safePuzzle #1112

NYT Connections Hints and Answers for June 27, 2026

Connections puzzle 1112 uses overlapping WALK words, familiar striped objects, and concealed horse-gait endings to create a board with several persuasive wrong turns.

Guide editorNora BennettSenior Editor

Start here

Take one step at a time

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

Need more than a hint?

Get a spoiler-safe solving plan

Use three general checks to make progress without seeing a category or answer.

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.

Reveal guide

Choose only as much help as you need

Every group has its own ladder. Opening one level never exposes another group.

  1. 1
    Start with a small hint

    Get a gentle nudge without seeing the category or its words.

  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

Try a group without risking your streak

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

    Once four are selected, press “Check these four.”

  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 1112 overview

Edited by Wyna Liu. The central construction places one WALK word in every group, while the final category shifts from whole-word meaning to endings.

Overall difficultyHardBiggest trapThe repeated WALK endings create a strong false grouping across BOARDWALK, CATWALK, CROSSWALK, and FIREWALK.Best first moveStart with the four unmistakable fashion-show terms, then use MONOPOLY SQUARES to separate BOARDWALK from the tempting WALK set.

Why the board is deceptive

The board is built around a conspicuous WALK pattern that crosses all four official categories.

The most straightforward path begins with fashion terminology, followed by Monopoly, and ends with wordplay.

Open the clean solving route

One way through the board

Group CATWALK, COLLECTION, DESIGNER, and MODEL first. Next identify the four Monopoly squares, then collect the striped objects. The remaining words reveal horse gaits hidden at their ends.

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.

Properties and spaces on a classic game boardReveal this group

What connects BOARDWALK, INCOME TAX, SHORT LINE and WATER WORKS?

BOARDWALK · INCOME TAX · SHORT LINE · WATER WORKS

MONOPOLY SQUARES. Between them, BOARDWALK, INCOME TAX, SHORT LINE and WATER WORKS are all squares on the Monopoly board.

Best anchor: Monopoly board squares

Elements seen at a runway presentationReveal this group

What connects CATWALK, COLLECTION, DESIGNER and MODEL?

CATWALK · COLLECTION · DESIGNER · MODEL

COMPONENTS OF A FASHION SHOW. A DESIGNER presents a COLLECTION using a MODEL on a CATWALK, making these core components of a fashion show.

Best anchor: fashion show components

Objects that often display bandsReveal this group

What connects BARBER POLE, BILLIARD BALL, CREDIT CARD and CROSSWALK?

BARBER POLE · BILLIARD BALL · CREDIT CARD · CROSSWALK

COMMONLY STRIPED THINGS. A BARBER POLE, BILLIARD BALL, CREDIT CARD, and CROSSWALK often have stripes or stripe-like bands.

Best anchor: commonly striped objects

Words whose final letters spell ways a horse movesReveal this group

What connects DECANTER, ENVELOPE, FIREWALK and FOXTROT?

DECANTER · ENVELOPE · FIREWALK · FOXTROT

ENDING IN HORSE GAITS. DECANTER ends in CANTER, ENVELOPE ends in LOPE, FIREWALK ends in WALK, and FOXTROT ends in TROT, all horse gaits.

Best anchor: hidden horse-gait endings

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
    MONOPOLY SQUARES

    Monopoly board squares

  2. 2
    COMPONENTS OF A FASHION SHOW

    fashion show components

  3. 3
    COMMONLY STRIPED THINGS

    commonly striped objects

  4. 4
    ENDING IN HORSE GAITS

    hidden horse-gait endings

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 unmistakable fashion-show terms, then use MONOPOLY SQUARES to separate BOARDWALK from the tempting WALK set..

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.

Moderate groupProperties and spaces on a classic game board
MONOPOLY SQUARES: Monopoly board squares
Easiest groupElements seen at a runway presentation
COMPONENTS OF A FASHION SHOW: fashion show components
Moderate groupObjects that often display bands
COMMONLY STRIPED THINGS: commonly striped objects
Hardest groupWords whose final letters spell ways a horse moves
ENDING IN HORSE GAITS: hidden horse-gait endings

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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