Connections Hint
Puzzle #1124 · July 9, 2026

NYT Connections Hints for July 9, 2026

Start with the spoiler-free hints. Go deeper only when you need to. Reveal answers on your own terms.

Thursday, July 9, 2026
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Today’s 16 Puzzle Words
Tap any word to see how it’s used in this puzzle
SHAGVIRGINNATRANS AMG6FIREBIRDZERO-PROOFROLLING STONETHROWSPINBILLBOARDPITCHFORKPRAYERGRAND PRIXSPIRIT-FREEPERSIAN

Spoiler-Free Hints

Three levels — warmer as you read down
i Ultra safe

A direction for each group — no names given.

  • These all signal something is missing from your drink order — without specifying what.
  • A set of titles that keep music fans informed and debating.
  • These words can decorate floors, each in its own distinctive style.
  • Names that once rolled off factory lines, now found in classic car shows.
ii Warmer

What kind of thinking each group asks for.

  • They're menu shorthand for a version of a cocktail that skips a particular ingredient.
  • These are well-known magazines and websites that cover the music industry extensively.
  • Consider various floor coverings that range from cultural artifacts to cozy home accents.
  • These are all models from a discontinued American auto brand, known for both speed and family driving.
iii Mild spoilers

Pointed nudges on the words built to fool you.

  • These are all ways to say mocktail — a mixed drink with no alcohol.
  • All are publications dedicated to music journalism, from charts to album reviews.
  • They are all rugs of different types — some opulent, some practical, some retro.
  • They're all Pontiac vehicles — a mix of sedans and legendary muscle cars.

Today’s Trap Words

The words engineered to mislead

Every Connections board plants a few decoys. Here are today’s, and why they pull you the wrong way.

SPIN

Looks like a physical action, but it's actually a magazine title. Easily grouped with verbs like throw or dance moves.

THROW

A common verb that could be mistaken for an action, but here it's a type of rug. Pairs deceptively with words like 'spin'.

FIREBIRD

Seems like a mythical creature or a music reference, but it's a Pontiac car model. Could be grouped with 'phoenix' or album titles.

PITCHFORK

A farming tool by appearance, but it's actually a music website. Might be mistaken for a garden implement group.

Connections Answers — July 9, 2026

Tap any group to reveal it
Answers are hidden — tap a group to peek, or reveal all at once.
NON-ALCOHOLIC DESIGNATORS
VIRGIN · NA · ZERO-PROOF · SPIRIT-FREE
Tap to reveal
MUSIC PUBLICATIONS
SPIN · ROLLING STONE · BILLBOARD · PITCHFORK
Tap to reveal
KINDS OF RUGS
THROW · PRAYER · PERSIAN · SHAG
Tap to reveal
PONTIAC MODELS
FIREBIRD · G6 · GRAND PRIX · TRANS AM
Tap to reveal
SEE ALSO:
NYT Wordle hints for July 9, 2026 NYT Pips hints for July 9, 2026 NYT Strands hints for July 9, 2026

Category Breakdown — Puzzle #1124

Why each group works — not just what it is

NON-ALCOHOLIC DESIGNATORS

These terms all describe beverages made without alcohol, from the simple 'NA' to the more colorful 'virgin' and 'spirit-free.' A straightforward group for anyone who's ordered a mocktail.

MUSIC PUBLICATIONS

These are iconic magazines and online platforms that have shaped music journalism for decades, from Billboard's charts to Pitchfork's reviews.

KINDS OF RUGS

Each word names a specific type of rug: Persian for luxury, prayer for devotion, shag for retro flair, and throw for casual accents. A classic misdirection category, as many have strong alternate meanings.

PONTIAC MODELS

These are all models produced by the now-defunct Pontiac brand, ranging from the sporty Firebird and Trans Am to the more pedestrian G6 and Grand Prix. Deep-cut knowledge for car enthusiasts.

Word Guide — All 16 Puzzle Words

What each word means in this puzzle
SHAG
A rug with thick, long pile that creates a shaggy, retro look popular in mid-century decor.
VIRGIN
A term for a cocktail without alcohol, especially one that mirrors classic mixed drinks.
NA
An abbreviation meaning 'non-alcoholic,' often listed on drink menus for sober options.
TRANS AM
A high-performance version of the Pontiac Firebird, made famous by 1970s films.
G6
A Pontiac sedan model, also the abbreviation for the Group of Six summit, a potential red herring.
FIREBIRD
A Pontiac sports car named after a mythical flaming bird, part of a legendary lineup.
ZERO-PROOF
Describes a drink made entirely without spirits, emphasizing its alcohol-free nature.
ROLLING STONE
A music and politics magazine launched in 1967, named after a Muddy Waters song.
THROW
A lightweight, decorative rug meant to be casually placed, not a verb about tossing.
SPIN
A magazine covering alternative music and culture, named with a sense of motion and trend.
BILLBOARD
A long-running music industry magazine famous for its weekly song charts.
PITCHFORK
An influential online music publication known for detailed album reviews and scores.
PRAYER
A small rug used by Muslims during daily prayers, aligned with religious practice.
GRAND PRIX
Both a prestigious auto racing event and a model name for a Pontiac sedan, blurring lines.
SPIRIT-FREE
A modern menu term for drinks that skip all distilled spirits, similar to 'non-alcoholic'.
PERSIAN
A high-quality, ornate rug originally from Iran, prized for intricate designs.

Puzzle Design Analysis

Why the editor constructed it this way

Wyna Liu crafted a puzzle heavy on dual-purpose words, with 'throw' and 'spin' acting as bait for action-verb guesses. The rug and car groups rely on niche knowledge, while music and mocktails offer accessible anchors. The purple category targets a specific automotive nostalgia, making today's puzzle a blend of common sense and trivia. The misdirection lies in everyday words hiding in domestic and vehicular identities.

Difficulty & Analysis

How tough today’s board really plays
Overall
6.5/10
Most deceptive
THROW

a textbook decoy

Hardest group
PONTIAC MODELS

requires lateral thinking

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