Wordle #1,707: A Puzzle That Stinks (But in a Good Way)
Wordle #1,707 has arrived, and it’s a bit of a stinker. Not in the “this is a bad puzzle” sense, but in the very literal sense that today’s five-letter answer is something you’d rather not smell. The New York Times’ trusty WordleBot reports that the average player will need about 4.1 guesses to crack this one, whether they’re playing on easy or hard mode. That suggests a moderate challenge with a potential for a tricky twist.
Ready for some help? Below, you’ll find our signature tiered hint system, designed to give you just the nudge you need. But be warned: full spoilers for the February 20th puzzle lie ahead. If you want to solve it completely on your own, now’s your chance to turn back!
Need a Nudge? Our Progressive Hint System
Stuck on Wordle #1,707? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Choose your level of assistance from the hints below.
Level 1: Gentle Nudges
If you just need a general direction, start here. Today’s answer can be both a verb and a noun. It contains one vowel. The general theme revolves around sensation, specifically a negative olfactory one.
Level 2: Intermediate Clues
Ready for a bit more? The word starts with the letter S. The single vowel is an A, and it is located in the third position. Think of a word you might use to describe something that has a strong, unpleasant smell.
Level 3: Advanced Hints
This is your last stop before the answer. The letter structure is S T A _ _. A close synonym is reeked. It’s a common, informal word often used in the past tense.
Breaking Down Today’s Difficulty
Why was Wordle #1,707 trickier than it looked? Let’s analyze the key factors that tripped players up.
| Factor | Level | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Common Letters | 8/10 | It uses four of the ten most common letters (S, T, A, N), which is actually very helpful. |
| Patterns | 3/10 | Words ending in “NK” are less frequent than those ending in common pairs like “ER” or “ED.” |
| Vowels | 7/10 | Having only one vowel (A) simplifies the vowel hunt but limits options. |
| Red Herrings | 9/10 | This is the big one. Common words like STAND, STAMP, STALK, and STACK are all plausible traps. |
A Step-by-Step Solving Guide
Here’s how a strategic solve might have unfolded, using optimal starting words.
Starting with a powerhouse like SLATE is an excellent move. It would have revealed the ‘S’ and ‘T’ in yellow and the ‘A’ in green. WordleBot notes this leaves only 15 possible solutions.
For your second guess, you want to test common consonants and lock in the green ‘A’. A word like STAIN is perfect here. It would turn the ‘S’ and ‘T’ green and add an ‘N’ in yellow, brilliantly narrowing the field.
Now the elimination process begins. You know the pattern is ST A _ _. With an ‘N’ in the mix but not at the end, and no ‘I’, your brain likely cycles through options: STACK, STAND, STANK, STALL. This is the moment of truth.
The “aha!” moment comes when you realize the uncommon “NK” ending. After perhaps guessing the more common STAND first, the correct answer, STANK, becomes clear. A strategic solve typically lands this in 3-4 attempts.
Specific Strategies for This Puzzle
If you got stuck today, here’s what might have happened and how to avoid it next time.
If you were stuck with ST A _ _: The trap was fixating on frequent endings like “ND” (STAND) or “CK” (STACK). The key was to remember less common consonant pairs. Running through the alphabet—STAB, STAG, STAN, STAP—forces you to consider “NK.”
Avoiding the “N” Trap: The yellow ‘N’ from a guess like STAIN was a major red herring. It naturally wants to go at the end (STAND), but Wordle often places common letters in unusual spots. Always test its position aggressively.
Today’s Unique Letter Pattern: The “NK” combo is the star of the show. It’s not rare, but it’s overshadowed by more prolific endings. When you have a locked-in start like “STA,” mentally reviewing these less-common pairs can save you a guess.
By The Numbers: Fun Stats on Today’s Word
How common is today’s Wordle answer? Let’s look at the data.
- Frequency in English: “Stank” is a moderately common word, ranking well within the top 20,000 words used in contemporary English.
- Wordle Commonality: This is its first appearance as a Wordle answer, making it a fresh challenge for veteran players.
- Comparative Difficulty: With an average of 4.1 guesses, it was slightly harder than the overall average, thanks mostly to its deceptive ending.
- Success Rate: We estimate a high solve rate (likely over 95%), but a lower-than-average chance of a 3-guess win due to the number of similar words.
For the Truly Curious
Digging deeper into the word “stank” reveals some interesting tidbits.
Etymologically, “stank” is simply the past tense of “stink,” which comes from the Old English *stincan*, meaning to emit a smell (good or bad). Its meaning narrowed to unpleasant odors over time.
A less common use is as a noun, particularly in Scottish dialects, where it can mean a pond or a small dam. In slang, especially in hip-hop, “stank” can refer to an attitude of defiant confidence.
Culturally, the phrase “stank face” is the universal, involuntary grimace one makes when hearing an incredibly funky bassline or tasting something powerfully sour—a testament to the word’s visceral power.
Flashback: Yesterday’s Answer (Wordle #1,706)
If you’re catching up, yesterday’s answer was HOIST. It was a more straightforward puzzle, with common letters and a recognizable pattern. Compared to today’s “STANK,” “HOIST” had fewer deceptive alternatives, making for a smoother solve. The shift from the mechanical “HOIST” to the sensory “STANK” is a great example of Wordle’s diverse vocabulary.
Sharpen Your Skills: General Wordle Strategy Tips
Whether you aced or struggled with today’s puzzle, these core strategies will help you tomorrow.
1. Master the Second Guess: Your first guess scouts. Your second guess should strategically test common consonants (L, R, S, N, T) and pin down any green letters. Think of it as a targeted probe, not a random shot.
2. Beware the Common Trap: As seen today, your brain will default to the most frequent word patterns (STAND). When you have a green-locked start, actively brainstorm the *less* common endings to avoid wasting a guess.
3. Use Process of Elimination Explicitly: If you’re down to two or three options, don’t guess randomly. Use a “burner” guess that contains letters from all possibilities to definitively identify the answer on the next line.
4. Today’s Data-Backed Starters: Based on today’s letter set, starters like SLATE, CRANE, or TRACE performed exceptionally well by quickly identifying the common S, T, A, and N.
