So, it’s Sunday. You’re sitting there with your coffee, the sun is barely hitting the kitchen table, and you’ve got that familiar grid staring you down. Wordle #1674 is here, and honestly? It’s a bit of a weird one. If you’ve been scouring the web for wordle hints today mashable style, you probably know that feeling when the letters just won't click. You’ve got two tries left, your streak is sitting at a nice, healthy triple digit, and the panic is starting to set in.
Don't let it. We've all been there, staring at a screen until the letters start to look like ancient runes.
Today’s word isn't necessarily "hard" in the sense of having a complex structure, but it’s a word that isn't exactly at the tip of everyone’s tongue. It’s one of those words you know once you see it, but you might not think of it while you're cycling through common consonants. Mashable’s hints usually lean toward the playful side, and today’s puzzle is no different. It’s a word that’s actually quite delicious if you’re into cooking.
Why Today's Wordle Is Tripping People Up
Most of us have our "go-to" starters. Maybe you're a "SLATE" devotee or a "CRANE" enthusiast. If you used those today, you likely got a bit of a mixed bag. The word today starts with a very common letter, but the vowel placement and the final consonant are where the "gotcha" moment happens.
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According to the NYT WordleBot, the average player is wrapping this one up in about 4.0 moves. If you’re playing on Hard Mode, that average actually drops slightly to 3.9, probably because you're forced to stick with the clues you’ve already unearthed. But if you’re on guess five and still seeing a lot of gray, that average doesn't mean much to you right now.
Kinda frustrating, right?
Wordle Hints for January 18, 2026
If you want to keep that streak alive without just being handed the answer on a silver platter, here are a few nudges in the right direction. We’re going to layer these, so you can stop reading whenever you feel that "Aha!" moment hitting.
The Basic Clues
First off, let’s look at the "skeleton" of the word.
- Vowels: There are two vowels in today’s word.
- Repeated Letters: Good news—there are no repeated letters today. Every tile is unique.
- The Opener: The word starts with the letter S.
The "Mashable-Style" Big Hint
If you’re still stuck, think about the kitchen. Specifically, think about Middle Eastern cuisine or a really good fattoush salad. Today’s word is a spice. It’s tangy, it’s deep red, and it comes from dried berries. It’s also technically related to the cashew family, which is a fun bit of botany trivia that might actually make the puzzle harder if you think too much about it.
A Quick Note on Strategy
Basically, when you’re dealing with a word like this, you want to rule out the "H" and the "T" early. A lot of people see an "S" and immediately jump to words like "STARE" or "SHINE." Today, those might lead you down a rabbit hole.
If you’re struggling, try to test out the "U" and the "M." They aren't the most common letters in the Wordle universe, but they are the keys to unlocking this specific grid. Honestly, once you realize there’s a "U" in the second or third slot, the possibilities narrow down significantly.
The Wordle Answer for Sunday, January 18
Alright, this is your final warning. If you’re still trying to solve this on your own, look away now. Put the phone down. Take another sip of coffee.
The answer to Wordle #1674 is SUMAC.
It’s a beautiful word, isn't it? SUMAC is that tangy, citrusy spice that gives so many dishes their "zing." If you haven’t cooked with it, you’ve probably seen it as a garnish. In the game, it’s a tough pull because that "C" at the end can be elusive, especially when your brain is trying to force an "E" or a "Y" into the finish line.
Keeping the Streak Alive
If you missed it today, don't sweat it. Even the best players get tripped up by a spice or a niche botanical term every now and then. The key to long-term Wordle success isn't just knowing big words; it’s about the process of elimination.
Next Steps for Your Wordle Game:
- Switch up your starter: If "ADIEU" or "STARE" didn't give you much today, try "SPLAT" or "CLASP" tomorrow. They’re statistically strong for catching those pesky consonants.
- Check the Botany: As weird as it sounds, the NYT editors love a good plant-based word. If you're stuck, think about what's growing in the garden.
- Review your "burn" words: If you're on guess four and have no idea, use guess five to play a word that uses five completely new letters. It’s better to lose a turn than to lose the whole game.
Go get some breakfast—maybe something with a little sumac on top. You've earned it.