Wordle #1,707: A Puzzle That Stinks (In the Best Way)
Wordle #1,707 has arrived, and let’s just say it’s leaving a bit of an impression. If you’re staring at a grid of yellow and gray, wondering what five-letter word could possibly fit, you’re not alone. Today’s puzzle is a classic example of a common-sounding word that trips you up with an uncommon ending. According to the New York Times’ own WordleBot, the average player is taking about 4.1 guesses to crack this one, whether they’re playing on easy or hard mode. That’s a solid indicator that we’re dealing with a medium-tough challenge today.
Ready for some help? We’ve got hints, a full strategy breakdown, and yes—the answer. Just remember: spoilers for Wordle #1,707 lie directly ahead. If you want to solve it on your own, now’s your chance to turn back!
Today’s Wordle Hints (Progressive Help)
Stuck but don’t want the full answer just yet? Work your way through these clues, from gentle nudges to major revelations.
Gentle Nudges (Level 1)
Word Type: It can be a verb or a noun.
Number of Vowels: One.
General Theme: Sensation, specifically related to smell (and not a good one).
Getting Warmer (Level 2)
Starting Letter: The word begins with S.
Vowel Position: The single vowel is an A, and it’s the second letter.
Context Clue: Think of a past-tense description for something that smelled very bad.
Almost There (Level 3)
Letter Structure: S _ A _ _
Close Synonyms: Reeked, smelled foul, had a strong odor.
Common Use: Often used informally: “Whoa, that garbage really ______.”
Difficulty Analysis: Why Today’s Wordle is Tricky
| Factor | Level (Out of 10) | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Common Letters | 8/10 | It contains four of the ten most common Wordle letters (S, T, A, N), which is deceptively helpful. |
| Patterns | 4/10 | The “-ANK” ending is less frequent than patterns like “-OUND” or “-IGHT,” making it harder to spot. |
| Vowels | 6/10 | Only one vowel (A) simplifies things, but its fixed position creates a specific structure to solve. |
| Red Herrings | 9/10 | Extremely high! Words like STAND, STAMP, STALK, and STACK are all plausible traps that can waste precious guesses. |
How to Solve It: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Let’s break down a logical path to victory, using strategic guesses to narrow the field.
First Guess (The Foundation): A strong starter like ORATE is perfect. It reveals the A in the correct position (green) and the T in the wrong spot (yellow). This is a great start, instantly telling you the word’s structure is _ A _ _ T or similar.
Second Guess (Strategic Follow-up): Now you need to test common consonants and pin down the T’s location. A word like STAIN is brilliant here. It places the S at the start, the T in the second slot, and adds N and I to the mix. The result? S and T turn green, N goes yellow, and I is gray. The puzzle is collapsing fast. You now know the word is S T A _ N.
The Elimination Process: With the structure S T A _ N locked in, your brain races through options: STAND, STACK, STALK, STAMP, STANK. This is the crucial moment.
The “Aha!” Moment: You might guess STAND first (it’s a very common word). When that fails, you realize the ending “-ANK” is the only fit. The K is the sneaky letter that makes this puzzle memorable.
Recommended Attempts: Solving in 3-4 guesses is excellent work today. Getting it in 5 is perfectly respectable given the minefield of similar words.
Specific Strategies for This Puzzle
If You’re Stuck at S T A _ _: Don’t just cycle through common consonants like D, L, C, M, P. Remember that a word ending in K, while rare, is possible. It’s the key breakthrough today.
Avoiding the “STAND” Trap: This is the biggest pitfall. Once you have S, T, A, and N, STAND feels inevitable. Mentally force yourself to consider less common final letters before committing your guess.
Today’s Unique Letter Pattern: The combination of a strong start (ST-) with a harsh ending (-NK) is what creates the challenge. It’s a phonetic clash that isn’t seen in many everyday words.
By The Numbers: Fun Stats About Today’s Word
Frequency in English: “Stank” is relatively uncommon in formal writing but sees regular use in informal speech and narrative.
Comparison to Past Puzzles: It’s more difficult than recent answers like HOIST or PLANT, primarily due to the low-frequency ending.
Estimated Player Success Rate: Given the 4.1-turn average, we’d estimate a 90%+ solve rate, but with a higher-than-usual number of 5- and 6-guess victories.
For the Word Nerds (Extra Credit)
The word “stank” is the simple past tense of the verb “stink,” which comes from the Old English stincan, meaning “to emit a smell.” Interestingly, for centuries, “stink” wasn’t exclusively negative; it could mean any smell. That nuance faded, leaving us with the purely pungent meaning we have today.
Beyond bad smells, “stank” has found a place in modern slang, often in phrases like “stank face” (a grimace of disgust) or, in certain contexts, used to describe an attitude of defiant confidence. It’s a small word with a surprisingly potent cultural footprint!
Flashback: Yesterday’s Answer (Wordle #1,706)
If you’re catching up, yesterday’s solution was HOIST. It was a smoother solve for most, with a common “-OIST” ending that, while not everyday vocabulary, follows a recognizable pattern. Today’s STANK is arguably trickier because its ending pattern (-ANK) is less intuitive and comes with more deceptive alternatives.
3 General Wordle Tips for Your Next Game
1. Hunt for the Ending: Today proves that the last two letters are often the hardest. Once you have the start, actively test common endings (ED, ER, ING, LY) and don’t forget about rarer ones like NK.
2. Beware of Word Families: If you have ST_A_, be aware you’ve entered a danger zone with a dozen possibilities. Use your next guess to test multiple ending consonants at once, not just one.
3. Starter Words Matter: Bot data confirms that starting with words like SLATE, CRANE, or SPILT (which gave you the S and T today) statistically lowers your average guesses. It’s not cheating; it’s smart play.
Congratulations on conquering Wordle #1,707! Whether you nailed it quickly or weathered the storm of red herrings, you’ve earned your win. See you tomorrow for the next puzzle.
