NYT Connections July 13, 2026 Strategy: Solve Puzzle #763 Without Guessing
Related Puzzle
Why Today's Puzzle Feels Tricky
The July 13, 2026 Connections puzzle (Game #763) is designed to test your ability to spot semantic overlaps rather than just obvious synonyms. The grid contains words like BUSSIN, SMACKDOWN, and PECKISH that initially scream different categories, but the real connections hide in wordplay and cultural references. The trap here isn’t just difficulty; it’s the misleading proximity of words that share surface traits but belong to distinct, deeper themes.
The Four Groups and Their Logic
Here is the breakdown of why each group works, the specific overlaps that cause mistakes, and the strategy to isolate them.
1. Fairy Tale Cats (The “Figaro” Trap)
Words: SALEM, PUSS, FIGARO, TOM
This group is a classic “cultural reference” category. Each word is the name of a fictional cat from literature, animation, or TV.
- Salem: The mischievous cat from Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
- Puss: Refers to Puss in Boots from the fairy tales.
- Figaro: The小猫 from Disney’s Fantasia and Pinocchio.
- Tom: The iconic cat from Tom and Jerry.
The Trap: PUSS and TOM can easily be misread as verbs or slang for “smack” (see Group 4). SALEM might look like a city (Salem, Oregon/WI), tempting you to group it with location-based words if any existed. The key is recognizing that FIGARO is the anchor that forces the “cat” interpretation.
2. Means to Interrogate (The Verb Overlap)
Words: QUESTION, GRILL, PUMP, EXAMINE
These are all verbs meaning to interrogate or investigate someone intensely.
- Question: The direct act of asking.
- Grill: To ask rapid, aggressive questions.
- Pump: To extract information through questioning (e.g., “pump someone for details”).
- Examine: To scrutinize or investigate closely.
The Trap: GRILL and PUMP are also objects (a cooking grill, a water pump). QUESTION is obviously a noun. The solver must ignore the noun definitions and focus entirely on the action of extracting information. If you group GRILL and PUMP with BUCKET or UMBRELLA (Things with Handles), you’ll miss the verb connection.
3. Things with Handles (The Physical Anchor)
Words: UMBRELLA, BUCKET, MUG, DRAWER
This is the most literal group: everyday objects that physically feature a handle for gripping.
- Umbrella: Has a curved handle.
- Bucket: Has a bail or handle for lifting.
- Mug: Has a cup-shaped handle.
- Drawer: Has a handle to pull it open.
The Trap: DRAWER is the weak link here because it’s furniture, not a handheld tool like the others. However, the handle is the defining feature. Don’t let MUG distract you into a “one-word drinks” category (which doesn’t exist here).
4. Words Starting with “Smooches” (The Wordplay Masterstroke)
Words: KISSER, SMACKDOWN, BUSSIN, PECKISH
This is the hardest group and the source of the puzzle’s tension. The connection is all words that start with a synonym for “kiss”.
- Kisser: Starts with KISS.
- Smackdown: Starts with SMACK (a kiss).
- Bussin: Starts with BUSS (a kiss, slang).
- Peckish: Starts with PECK (a bird’s kiss/bite, used as a kiss synonym).
The Trap: This is where 90% of players fail. SMACKDOWN looks like a wrestling term. BUSSIN looks like slang for “good” (That food is bussin”). PECKISH means “hungry.” The solver must realize the connection is prefix-based, not definition-based. If you group KISSER with PECKISH as “cats” (paying for pecking?), you’ll lose a mistake.
Repeatable Solving Approach for Today
To solve this puzzle without guessing, follow this tactical sequence:
Step 1: Isolate the Anchor Word
Find the word that is the most unique. FIGARO is your anchor. It is exclusively a cat name. Group it with SALEM, PUSS, and TOM immediately. This removes the “cat” trap.
Step 2: Hunt for the Verb Pattern
Look at GRILL, PUMP, QUESTION, and EXAMINE. Ask: “Can I do this to a person?” Yes. They are all interrogation verbs. Remove them next.
Step 3: The Physical Check
Look at UMBRELLA, BUCKET, MUG, DRAWER. Do they all have handles? Yes. This is the literal group. Remove them.
Step 4: The Wordplay Reveal
The remaining words are KISSER, SMACKDOWN, BUSSIN, PECKISH. Don’t group by meaning. Group by prefix. KISS, SMACK, BUSS, PECK are all synonyms for a kiss. This is the “Aha!” moment.
Final Verdict
The key to today’s puzzle is resisting the urge to group SMACKDOWN with wrestling terms or BUSSIN with food slang. The connection is strictly prefixal and relies on obscure synonyms for “kiss.” Once you identify the prefix pattern, the group snaps into place instantly. Solve the easy groups first (Fictional Cats, Interrogate, Handles) to clear the board, and the final wordplay category becomes obvious by elimination.