This page covers NYT Connections puzzle #1138, originally published on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Work down the hints, then tap a color only when you're ready. Your streak, your call. Physical objects with round shapes form a concrete visual category. One item could be misread as a color name rather than an object, creating initial hesitation before the spatial connection clicks. Adjectives describing high-energy emotional states share psychological intensity. A solver might briefly parse one term as describing physical movement rather than mental agitation. Functional zones of aviation infrastructure present clear architectural components. One word's non-aviation meaning could momentarily distract from the transportation context.

Words ending with mathematical shape names require parsing their suffixes. The abstract linguistic pattern contrasts with the other groups' concrete themes, demanding lateral thinking about word endings rather than meanings. Today's puzzle contrasts three concrete categories with one linguistic pattern. Solvers should start with the yellow group's tangible objects before tackling the suffix-based purple challenge. NYT Connections #1,138 (July 23, 2026) rates 3 out of 5 for difficulty — right at the 3.0 average across the 155 boards in our archive, 1% of which have been harder than this one. See the full difficulty history → See the full difficulty history → · How to play →