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Spoiler-safeJuly 9, 2026Puzzle #1124

NYT Connections Hints and Answers for July 9, 2026

Connections puzzle No. 1124 mixes drink-menu terminology, music journalism, floor coverings, and Pontiac nameplates in a board with several plausible crossover traps.

Guide editorMaya BrooksSenior Editor

Start here

Take one step at a time

4 groups
Alcohol-free menu labelsStraightforward once read in a beverage context
Music journalism titlesModerate because each entry also works outside publishing
Floor-covering varietiesModerate due to strong alternate meanings
Pontiac nameplatesHard without automotive knowledge, but distinctive as a complete set

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 No. 1124 overview

The board relies on shifts between proper names and ordinary vocabulary. PITCHFORK, SPIN, THROW, and PRAYER can initially suggest actions or concepts, while VIRGIN has meanings beyond beverage labeling. The supplied search evidence for NA concerns Narcotics Anonymous and sodium rather than the official category, so it does not support an additional editorial claim.

Overall difficultyModerate to hardBiggest trapSeveral words invite convincing alternate readings: THROW and PITCHFORK suggest actions, SPIN can describe motion, and FIREBIRD and ROLLING STONE look like entertainment titles.Best first moveStart with the four unmistakable Pontiac nameplates, then separate the publication titles from the rug varieties.

Why the board is deceptive

The cleanest foothold is the Pontiac set, whose multiword entries make the shared relationship comparatively distinctive.

After reading BILLBOARD, PITCHFORK, ROLLING STONE, SPIN as publication names rather than everyday words, the rest of the board becomes easier.

Open the clean solving route

One way through the board

Lock in FIREBIRD, G6, GRAND PRIX, and TRANS AM first. Next collect the four music publications, identify the rug types, and leave the non-alcoholic menu designators for the final group.

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.

Alcohol-free menu labelsReveal this group

What connects NA, SPIRIT-FREE, VIRGIN and ZERO-PROOF?

NA · SPIRIT-FREE · VIRGIN · ZERO-PROOF

NON-ALCOHOLIC DESIGNATORS. All four can designate a drink or beverage option that does not contain alcohol.

Best anchor: Watch for these as menu vocabulary, particularly beside cocktails and other drinks.

Music journalism titlesReveal this group

What connects BILLBOARD, PITCHFORK, ROLLING STONE and SPIN?

BILLBOARD · PITCHFORK · ROLLING STONE · SPIN

MUSIC PUBLICATIONS. Each is the name of a publication associated with music news, criticism, charts, or culture.

Best anchor: The proper-name reading unites four otherwise unrelated common words and phrases.

Floor-covering varietiesReveal this group

What connects PERSIAN, PRAYER, SHAG and THROW?

PERSIAN · PRAYER · SHAG · THROW

KINDS OF RUGS. Each word identifies a recognized kind or style of rug used for decoration, texture, or a particular purpose.

Best anchor: Treat THROW as a small floor covering rather than an action, and the set takes shape.

Pontiac nameplatesReveal this group

What connects FIREBIRD, G6, GRAND PRIX and TRANS AM?

FIREBIRD · G6 · GRAND PRIX · TRANS AM

PONTIAC MODELS. All four are model names associated with Pontiac, including performance-oriented and passenger-car nameplates.

Best anchor: Combination of the alphanumeric model and the three bold names point to an automobile brand.

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
    NON-ALCOHOLIC DESIGNATORS

    Watch for these as menu vocabulary, particularly beside cocktails and other drinks.

  2. 2
    MUSIC PUBLICATIONS

    The proper-name reading unites four otherwise unrelated common words and phrases.

  3. 3
    KINDS OF RUGS

    Treat THROW as a small floor covering rather than an action, and the set takes shape.

  4. 4
    PONTIAC MODELS

    Combination of the alphanumeric model and the three bold names point to an automobile brand.

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 Pontiac nameplates, then separate the publication titles from the rug varieties..

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 read in a beverage context groupAlcohol-free menu labels
NON-ALCOHOLIC DESIGNATORS: Watch for these as menu vocabulary, particularly beside cocktails and other drinks.
Moderate because each entry also works outside publishing groupMusic journalism titles
MUSIC PUBLICATIONS: The proper-name reading unites four otherwise unrelated common words and phrases.
Moderate due to strong alternate meanings groupFloor-covering varieties
KINDS OF RUGS: Treat THROW as a small floor covering rather than an action, and the set takes shape.
Hard without automotive knowledge, but distinctive as a complete set groupPontiac nameplates
PONTIAC MODELS: Combination of the alphanumeric model and the three bold names point to an automobile brand.

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

Maya Brooks

Maya focuses on exact category logic, ambiguous overlaps and hints that help without giving the group away.

Read Maya’s profile →