NYT Connections July 20 Puzzle: Hints, Answers & Pro Tips

Alright, puzzle lovers – let’s dive into today’s New York Times Connections board, the one dated July 20, 2026 (that’s puzzle #1135). If you’ve already taken a swing at it, you’ll probably be stuck on that sneaky purple group. Don’t worry; I’ve got the hints and the answers right here, plus a couple of tidbits that might help you snag a perfect score.

First off, a shout‑out to Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, CNET’s resident pop‑culture aficionado. She’s the one who curates these daily breakdowns, and she’s been cracking puzzles since before most of us were even born. (If you ever see a Marathon candy bar return, she’ll be first in line.)

Yellow group – “Announce.” Think about a word that means to proclaim something loudly. The answer? Blare. It fits the clue like a megaphone in a quiet room.

Green group – “One might be turned up.” This one’s about different types of noses. You’ll need to spot the word that sounds like a nose that could be…well, turned up. The solution is Button – as in a button nose.

Blue group – “Fresh start.” Here the theme is metaphors for opportunity. The phrase that captures a brand‑new chance is Blank page. Nothing beats the smell of fresh ink, right?

Purple group – “Something you drink is hidden in each word.” The tricky one. Look for hidden beverages inside the answers. They turn out to be Alexa (ale), Meadow (mead), Portobello (port), and Sakes (sake). Spotting those little sips is half the fun.

Quick recap of the four groups:

• Yellow (Announce): Blare
• Green (Noses): Button, Greek, Ski‑jump, Snub
• Blue (Opportunity metaphors): Blank page, Horizon, Oyster, Window
• Purple (Hidden drinks): Alexa, Meadow, Portobello, Sakes

If you’re into tracking your progress, the Times now offers a Connections Bot. After you finish, the bot gives you a numeric score and a quick analysis of how you did. It’s handy for the competitive type who loves a good win‑streak.

And because you’re probably also juggling the Mini Crossword, Wordle, or the Strands puzzle, CNET’s daily hub has links to all the latest hints and answers in one place. So grab your coffee, fire up the puzzle, and enjoy the mental workout – you’ve got this!