You ever wake up, grab your coffee, and feel like your brain just isn’t in gear yet? That was me this morning staring at a grid of empty gray squares. If you’re here, you’re probably in the same boat, wondering how on earth a five-letter word can feel so elusive. Today’s puzzle, number 1671 for Thursday, January 15, 2026, is a bit of a tricky one. Honestly, it’s a word we all know, but the letter structure is just "off" enough to mess with your usual openers.
The NYT Wordle today answer is CHASM.
There. The band-aid is off. If you were just looking for the win to keep your streak alive, you’ve got it. But if you’re like me and you actually care about why your brain struggled with this—or if you want to make sure tomorrow goes smoother—let’s talk about why "CHASM" is such a nightmare for the average Wordle strategy.
Why Today’s Wordle Was a Streak-Killer
Usually, we’re hunting for vowels. Everyone has their favorite: ADIEU, AUDIO, or maybe you're a CRANE purist. The problem with today's word is that it only has one vowel. Just one. When you have a single "A" tucked into the middle of four consonants, the elimination process becomes a slog.
The "CH" start is common enough, but that "SM" ending? That’s where the trouble starts. We’re so used to words ending in "S" being plurals (which the NYT usually avoids in the solution slot) that we often ignore the "S" in the final positions until we’re desperate.
Breaking Down the Hints for January 15
If you haven't filled in the boxes yet and want to earn it, here’s how the word actually functions:
- Starting Letter: It begins with a consonant, specifically "C."
- Ending Letter: It ends with a "M," which is a relatively low-frequency ending for five-letter words.
- Vowel Count: Only one. The letter "A."
- Double Letters: None. Every letter is unique.
- Definition: A deep fissure in the earth, like a gorge or an abyss. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a big gap between two people or ideas.
I’ve seen people on Reddit today complaining that they burned through four guesses just trying to find where the "S" went. It’s understandable. If you start with something like "STARE," you get the "A" and the "S" in yellow, but the "S" is in the wrong spot, and you've basically used up your best vowels for no reason.
The Science of a Good Opener
People love to debate the "best" starting word. The NYT WordleBot usually yells at you if you don't use something like TRACE or CRATE. These are mathematically sound because they cover high-frequency letters.
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But on a day like today? TRACE would give you the "C" and the "A," but you’d be left hunting for that "H" and "M."
I actually tried "RAISE" today. I got the "A" and the "S" in yellow and thought, "Great, I'm halfway there." Nope. I spent the next three turns guessing words like "SLANG" and "PASSE" before I realized I was overcomplicating the consonant clusters.
Semantic Variations and Strategy
Sometimes the word of the day feels like it has a theme. Lately, the NYT has been leaning into these slightly more academic or "literary" terms. CHASM isn't a word you use when you're ordering a burger. It's a word you use when you're reading a geology textbook or describing a massive political divide.
If you're stuck in a "Wordle rut," try changing your second guess to something that purposefully avoids vowels. Most people think that's crazy. But if you already know there's an "A," why guess "OUija"? Use a word like "LYMPH" or "BRICK" to eliminate those pesky consonants. That’s how you find the "H" or the "M" without wasting turns.
Common Pitfalls for Today's Puzzle
- Thinking it’s a plural: You see an "S" and assume it’s the fourth letter or that the word is something like "CHIPS."
- Over-relying on "E": Since "E" is the most common letter, we hate letting go of it. But today, "E" is a ghost.
- Forgetting the "H": After a "C," we often look for "L" or "R" (like in "CLASS" or "CRANE"). The "CH" combo is powerful but often overlooked in the second or third guess.
What to Do Next
If you nailed it in three, congrats—you’re probably a genius or you got lucky with a "CH" starter. If you barely made it in six, don't sweat it. Tomorrow is a new grid.
To improve your game for the rest of the week, take a look at your stats. Are you always starting with the same word? Maybe it's time to retire "ADIEU" for a bit and try something with more "S," "T," and "R." The game is shifting, and the puzzles in 2026 seem to be favoring these single-vowel traps more than they used to.
Make sure you save your results and share them—carefully—so you don't spoil the fun for your West Coast friends who are still waking up. If you're looking for more of a challenge, you can always jump over to the NYT Connections or the Mini Crossword, but be warned: the Connections grid today is a nightmare involving gardening tools and things that come in flakes.
Check your streak, breathe a sigh of relief, and get ready for the next one.