Wordle #1,707: A Puzzle That Stinks (In the Best Way)
Wordle #1,707 has arrived, and it’s a bit of a stinker. Not in a bad way, mind you—it’s a perfectly valid and common word—but it’s the kind of puzzle that can leave you scratching your head if you’re not careful. The combination of a common letter pattern with an uncommon final letter creates a unique challenge that has tripped up more than a few players today. According to the New York Times’ own WordleBot, the average player needed 4.1 guesses to crack this one, whether playing on easy or hard mode. That’s a solid indicator that today’s answer isn’t a gimme.
Ready for some help? We’ve got hints, a full strategy breakdown, and yes, the answer. But be warned: spoilers for Wordle #1,707 lie ahead. If you want to solve it on your own, turn back now! Otherwise, let’s dive in and clear the air.
Need a Nudge? Here Are Your Wordle Hints
Stuck on today’s five-letter mystery? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Here are three levels of hints, from gentle nudges to almost-spoilers. Use as many as you need!
Hint Level 1: Gentle Nudges
Today’s Wordle is a verb (though it can also be used informally as a noun). It contains just one vowel. The general theme revolves around perception, specifically one of the five senses.
Hint Level 2: Getting Warmer
The word begins with the letter S. The single vowel is an A, and it is the second letter in the word. Think of a word that describes a strong, and usually unpleasant, olfactory experience.
Hint Level 3: Almost There
The letter structure is S T A _ _. A close synonym is “reeked.” It’s the simple past tense of a more common verb you might use to describe a smell.
Today’s Difficulty Breakdown
So, what made Wordle #1,707 a 4.1-guess puzzle? Let’s break down the difficulty factors in a handy table.
| Factor | Level (Out of 10) | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Common Letters | 8/10 | It contains S, T, A, N—four of the top ten most common Wordle letters. |
| Patterns | 6/10 | “ST” at the start is very common, but the “NK” ending is less frequent. |
| Vowels | 3/10 | Only one vowel (A) makes the word space narrower but trickier to pinpoint. |
| Red Herrings | 7/10 | Many similar words like STAND, STAMP, STALK, and STACK can easily lead you astray. |
How to Solve Wordle #1,707: A Step-by-Step Guide
Let’s walk through a logical solving path, similar to what the WordleBot might recommend. For this example, we’ll start with a top-tier opening word: SLATE.
Guess 1: SLATE
This excellent starter gives us a great foundation. Let’s say it reveals: ‘S’ and ‘A’ are correct and in the right spot (green), ‘T’ is correct but in the wrong spot (yellow), and ‘L’ and ‘E’ are gray. This is a fantastic start, locking in the first and third letters.
Guess 2: STAIN
We need to incorporate the yellow ‘T’ and test common letters. STAIN moves the ‘T’ to the second position, keeps the green ‘S’ and ‘A’, and adds ‘I’ and ‘N’. The result: ‘S’, ‘T’, and ‘A’ are now all green. ‘N’ turns yellow, and ‘I’ is gray. Our pattern is now clearly S T A _ _. We know an ‘N’ is in the word but not at the end.
The Elimination Process
With S T A _ _ locked in, we brainstorm. Words like STAND, STANK, STACK, STALL, STAMP, and STASH all fit. Our yellow ‘N’ from STAIN means the word contains an ‘N’, so STAND and STANK become prime suspects. STACK and STAMP are less likely as they don’t use the ‘N’.
The “Aha!” Moment
Between STAND and STANK, which is more likely? If you’ve used common letters like ‘D’ already in previous guesses without success, STANK emerges as the frontrunner. It’s the simple past tense of “stink,” and it fits the scent-related hints perfectly.
Guess 3 or 4: STANK
Typing in STANK should seal the deal in three or four total guesses, right in line with the average. If you guessed STAND first, you’d get it in four.
Specific Strategies for This Puzzle
If you got stuck today, here’s what might have happened and how to avoid it next time:
- Stuck on the last two blanks? The “NK” ending is a classic trap. We’re conditioned to think of “CK,” “ND,” or “MP.” Remember that “K” is a valid ending, often following ‘N’ (THANK, BLANK) or ‘C’ (TRACK, SLACK).
- Avoiding the STAND trap: If you had an ‘N’ in play, STAND was the biggest decoy. To choose between STAND and STANK, think about letter frequency. ‘D’ is more common than ‘K’ overall, but in this specific ending position after ‘N’, both are plausible. Running through your already-eliminated letters is key.
- Today’s unique pattern: The “STA_” beginning has over a dozen common answers. The key was efficiently testing for the common consonants that could follow—L, M, N, P, R, C, K.
By The Numbers: Fun Stats on Today’s Word
For the data lovers, here’s some trivia about STANK:
- It ranks well outside the top 10,000 most common words in contemporary English, making it a relatively rare Wordle answer.
- Compared to recent puzzles, it’s of moderate difficulty. It’s harder than common nouns but easier than true obscure vocabulary.
- We estimate the global success rate today is slightly below average, likely around 85-90%, due to the STAND/STANK confusion.
- As the past tense of “stink,” its usage peaked in the mid-20th century but remains perfectly understood and used today, often for emphasis.
For the Curious: More About “Stank”
Today’s answer is more interesting than it smells! Stank comes from the Old English word stincan, which simply meant “to smell.” Over time, it specialized to mean “to smell bad.” The past tense “stank” (vs. “stunk”) follows a pattern similar to “sink” (sank) and “drink” (drank).
In modern slang, “stank” can be used as a noun to describe a strong attitude, often in phrases like “stank face.” Culturally, it had a moment in the hip-hop scene of the late 90s and early 2000s. In other languages, the past tense of “to stink” is just as direct: it’s stank in Dutch and German (stank), showing its deep Germanic roots.
Flashback: Yesterday’s Answer (Wordle #1,706)
If you’re just catching up, yesterday’s puzzle was HOIST. It was a moderately challenging word, featuring a less-common “OI” vowel pair. Compared to today’s STANK, HOIST was slightly easier for most, with a clearer path after the first couple of guesses. Both, however, shared the trait of having several common-letter alternatives that could send you down the wrong path (MOIST, JOIST, FOIST for HOIST).
3 General Wordle Tips to Boost Your Game
Whether today was a breeze or a struggle, these strategies will help you tomorrow:
- Test the Tough Endings: If you have a pattern like _ _ A _ _, don’t just test common endings like “ND” or “CK.” Remember to try “NK,” “NG,” “MP,” and “SH” to cover all bases.
- Use Your Second Guess Strategically: Don’t just chase greens. Use your second attempt to test multiple high-frequency consonants (L, N, R, S, T) that weren’t in your starter. This maximizes information.
- Beware the Past Tense Trap: Wordle uses many common past-tense verbs (like STANK, HOIST). If your guess fits a common present-tense word (STINK), consider that its past tense might be the actual answer.
