You're probably here because your usual "ADIEU" or "STARE" opening didn't quite do the heavy lifting it normally does. It happens. Sunday mornings are for coffee, relaxation, and apparently, getting stumped by a shrub. If you are staring at a grid of gray tiles and feeling your streak tremble, you aren't alone. Today’s puzzle is a bit of a curveball.
The word we're looking for today is a classic New York Times move. It’s a word that is common in specific circles—think kitchens and gardens—but might not be in your daily text message vocabulary.
The Wordle Hint Today You Actually Need
Let’s talk strategy before we just give it away. Honestly, the most frustrating part of today's game is the letter distribution.
If you used a starter like "ARISE" or "RAISE," you likely found a yellow 'S' and maybe a yellow 'A'. But the consonants are where things get dicey. We are dealing with a word that doesn't use the high-frequency "R", "T", or "N" crowd. It’s a bit more... flavorful.
Here are a few nudges to get your brain moving:
- The Definition: It’s a reddish, tangy spice used heavily in Middle Eastern cooking. Think Fattoush salad or za'atar.
- The Botany: It also refers to a genus of flowering plants (some of which you definitely don't want to touch, though the culinary one is fine).
- The Structure: There are two vowels and three consonants.
- No Repeats: Every letter is unique today. No double letters to worry about.
- The Start and End: It starts with S and ends with C.
Why Today's Word is Such a Streak-Killer
A lot of people rely on the "big five" letters. When the editors at the New York Times pull a word like this, they are testing your vocabulary depth rather than just your ability to find patterns. According to WordleBot—the NYT's own analytical tool—most players are taking 4 or 5 guesses today.
Usually, when a word ends in 'C', our brains go straight to "CLOCK" or "BASIC." But that 'U' in the middle of today's word is a sneaky little thing. It’s not a common vowel placement for many five-letter words starting with 'S'.
If you tried "SCUBA" or "SQUAD," you were actually on a really good track. You probably saw a lot of green and yellow but just couldn't quite connect the dots.
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The Answer for Wordle #1674 (January 18, 2026)
If you’ve run out of patience and just want to keep your 200-day streak alive, here it is.
The Wordle answer today is SUMAC.
It’s a beautiful word, really. Sumac (pronounced soo-mak) comes from the dried and ground berries of the Rhus shrub. If you’ve never cooked with it, it has this incredible lemony, tart zing. It’s essential for a good kebab or sprinkled over hummus.
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How to Win More Often
Looking at how this played out, there's a big lesson for future puzzles. When you get a hit on a vowel like 'U' or 'A' but the common consonants are all gray, stop trying to force "S" and "T" together. Start thinking about "K", "C", and "P".
Don't be afraid to use a "burner" word on guess three or four. If you have S _ _ A _ and you're stuck, a word like "CHUMP" could have helped you identify that 'C', 'U', and 'M' were all present, even if it didn't fit the 'S' and 'A' you already knew.
Quick Tips for Tomorrow
- Ditch the "ADIEU" habit? Some pros swear by it, but others argue it wastes too many turns finding vowels while leaving the consonants a mystery. Try "SLATE" or "CRANE" instead.
- Watch for the 'C' and 'Y' endings. They are the most common ways the NYT throws a wrench in the "ends in E or D" expectation.
- Take a break. Seriously. If you’re on guess five, put the phone down for twenty minutes. Most people find the answer the second they look at the screen with fresh eyes.
If you solved it in three, you're a legend. If you got it in six, a win is a win. Go enjoy your Sunday.
Grab some sumac for your dinner tonight—you’ve earned it after that mental workout. Check back tomorrow if the grid starts looking grim again.