Wordle: Unlocking The Secrets Of The Viral Word Game

Another day, another Wordle puzzle—and Newsweek is here with a set of handy hints should you need help to get over the finish line. The game we’ve all come to know and love was invented by New York-based software engineer Josh Wardle, who perfected Wordle during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Welsh-born Wardle then released it to the public in October 2021.

Following its public debut, Wordle exploded from 90 users on November 1, 2021, to 300,000 on January 2, 2022, according to figures by Statista. The New York Times purchased the game for an undisclosed seven-figure fee soon after. A major part of Wordle's appeal is its simplicity. Players get six attempts to guess a five-letter word. Gray tiles behind each letter indicate that they’re not in the word at all; yellow means the letter features, but is in the wrong position, while green lets players know the letter is in the word and in the correct place.

Speaking to Newsweek in January 2022, Wardle explained why he decided on five-letter words being the gold standard for the game. "There is a reason that every word is five letters long and that you are allowed six attempts to guess it. That might seem arbitrary but, with the prototype version, I tested different word lengths and experimented with the number of tries that players were allowed," he said.

"Through that process of refinement, I figured out that five letters and six tries was the ideal sweet spot. It’s just limited enough to feel challenging and to make you think, but most of the time people still manage to solve it. So, you feel a real sense of real accomplishment."

Newsweek has provided some clues below for today’s Wordle puzzle. The answer will be revealed at the end of this article, so please scroll down with caution if you want to work it out for yourself.

Tips and Tricks for Solving Wordle Puzzles

When it comes to solving Wordle puzzles, having a strategy can significantly improve your chances of success. Here are some effective tips that players can use to enhance their gameplay. First, start with words that have common vowels and consonants. This gives you a higher likelihood of hitting on the correct letters early in the game.

Another useful strategy is to pay attention to the color feedback you receive after each guess. Gray tiles indicate letters that are not in the word at all, while yellow tiles show letters that are present but in the wrong position. Green tiles confirm that a letter is in the correct location. Use this feedback to adjust your next guess accordingly!

Understanding the Appeal of Wordle

The simplicity of Wordle is one of its most appealing features. Players are given just six attempts to guess a five-letter word, making it a quick and engaging challenge. This simplicity allows people of all ages to enjoy the game, making it a popular pastime during the pandemic.

As people increasingly seek mental stimulation and entertainment, Wordle has emerged as a great way to take a break and challenge oneself. Additionally, the social aspect of sharing results and competing with friends adds to the game’s charm, fostering a sense of community among players.

Clues for Today's Wordle Puzzle

Today's Wordle answer has some intriguing hints! Here are the five hints to help you solve today’s puzzle:

• Hint #1: Today’s answer contains one vowel, which appears twice.
• Hint #2: "M" is the first letter of today’s answer.
• Hint #3: There is just one repeated letter.
• Hint #4: Today’s answer is a verb.
• Hint #5: For today’s answer, think of combining or uniting into one.

The Answer Revealed

Today’s Wordle answer is "Merge." Did you get it? If so, congratulations! If not, don’t worry, as there will be another opportunity to crack the brainteaser tomorrow. Wordle is released at midnight in your local time zone, and Newsweek will be back with another round of hints and tips for each new game.

Players who would like something to keep themselves busy while they wait can have a go at other word-based puzzles such as Typochondria and Spellspire.