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Verified archive for July 28, 2026 Spoiler-safePuzzle #1143

NYT Connections Hints and Answers for July 28, 2026

Connections puzzle #1143 mixes a direct verb group with apple varieties, footwear brands, and a precise hidden-name construction.

Guide editorEthan ParkEditor

Start here

Take one step at a time

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

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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 #1143 Group Overview

The board moves from semantic equivalence to familiar proper names and then to prefix wordplay. CAMPER and CONVERSE are especially effective traps because their ordinary meanings can delay recognition of the shoe-brand group.

Overall difficultyModerate, with a demanding final wordplay groupBiggest trapSeveral words have strong standalone meanings that conceal brand names, apple varieties, and names embedded at their beginnings.Best first moveTest CAPTAIN, DIRECT, HEAD, and LEAD as verbs meaning to command.

Why the board is deceptive

The most accessible route begins with four words that can all describe taking command or control.

The remaining board rewards category switching, especially from ordinary nouns to brands and embedded names.

Open the clean solving route

One way through the board

Solve the command verbs first, identify the four familiar apple varieties next, then isolate the footwear brands before inspecting the remaining words letter by letter.

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.

Take chargeReveal this group

What connects CAPTAIN, DIRECT, HEAD and LEAD?

CAPTAIN · DIRECT · HEAD · LEAD

COMMAND. Each word can function as a verb meaning to command, guide, or take charge of people or an undertaking.

Best anchor: All four work naturally as leadership verbs.

Orchard varietiesReveal this group

What connects EMPIRE, FUJI, GALA and HONEYCRISP?

EMPIRE · FUJI · GALA · HONEYCRISP

HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES. EMPIRE, FUJI, GALA, and HONEYCRISP are all names used for varieties of apples.

Best anchor: The category title playfully points directly to apples.

Footwear names with one initialReveal this group

What connects CAMPER, CLARKS, CONVERSE and CROCS?

CAMPER · CLARKS · CONVERSE · CROCS

SHOE BRANDS STARTING WITH "C". CAMPER, CLARKS, CONVERSE, and CROCS are shoe brands whose names all begin with the letter C.

Best anchor: Brand recognition and the shared initial complete the link.

Names hidden at the frontReveal this group

What connects ANNAPOLIS, BOBSLED, EVEREST and OTTOMAN?

ANNAPOLIS · BOBSLED · EVEREST · OTTOMAN

STARTING WITH PALINDROMIC NAMES. The words begin with ANNA, BOB, EVE, and OTTO, which are names that read the same forward and backward.

Best anchor: Each opening name is itself a palindrome.

Today’s supporting guides

Why the trickiest words belong together

These focused articles go beyond the answer: they explain the exact relationship, the convincing red herrings and how to recognize the pattern again.

Supporting clue guideWhat Connects CAPTAIN, DIRECT, HEAD and LEAD?Explain this connection Supporting clue guideWhat Connects EMPIRE, FUJI, GALA and HONEYCRISP?Explain this connection Supporting clue guideWhat Connects CAMPER, CLARKS, CONVERSE and CROCS?Explain this connection Supporting clue guideWhat Connects ANNAPOLIS, BOBSLED, EVEREST and OTTOMAN?Explain this connection Supporting clue guideDefinitions for all 16 puzzle wordsExplain this connection

Browse every Connections clue explainer →

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
    COMMAND

    All four work naturally as leadership verbs.

  2. 2
    HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES

    The category title playfully points directly to apples.

  3. 3
    SHOE BRANDS STARTING WITH "C"

    Brand recognition and the shared initial complete the link.

  4. 4
    STARTING WITH PALINDROMIC NAMES

    Each opening name is itself a palindrome.

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: Test CAPTAIN, DIRECT, HEAD, and LEAD as verbs meaning to command..

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 groupTake charge
COMMAND: All four work naturally as leadership verbs.
Moderate groupOrchard varieties
HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES: The category title playfully points directly to apples.
Moderately challenging groupFootwear names with one initial
SHOE BRANDS STARTING WITH "C": Brand recognition and the shared initial complete the link.
Challenging groupNames hidden at the front
STARTING WITH PALINDROMIC NAMES: Each opening name is itself a palindrome.

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

Ethan Park

Ethan turns word patterns and solving routes into concise, accessible guidance for daily players.

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