Today’s Wordle: Answer and Analysis for January 20, 2026

Daily Word Puzzle Captivates Millions

Every day, millions of word puzzle enthusiasts around the globe log on to test their vocabulary skills with Wordle, the viral game that has become a daily ritual for many. Today’s Wordle answer for puzzle #1676 on January 20, 2026, is ‘SULLY’, a five-letter word that challenged players with its unique letter combination.

Wordle’s enduring popularity stems from its elegant simplicity and the satisfaction of solving a daily linguistic challenge. The web-based word puzzle game was created by Josh Wardle in 2021 and, after surging in popularity, was acquired by The New York Times. The game offers everyone the same puzzle each day, creating a shared experience that sparks conversations and friendly competition across social media platforms.

Understanding Today’s Answer: SULLY

Today’s answer is the act of damaging the purity or integrity of something — a five-letter verb that starts with S, includes one vowel, four consonants, and has one repeated letter. The word presented particular challenges for players due to the doubled ‘L’ in the middle, which often catches solvers off guard.

SULLY means to tarnish or damage the purity or integrity of something, often used in the context of reputation. This relatively uncommon word in everyday conversation may have tripped up players who typically rely on more frequently used vocabulary. According to Wordlebot, the average number of guesses taken to get to today’s answer in normal mode is 4.0, indicating a moderate difficulty level.

Significance for Wordle Players

Today’s puzzle reinforces important strategies for Wordle success. The presence of a repeated letter serves as a reminder that players should consider duplicate letters in their guesses, particularly when other options seem exhausted. The moderate difficulty of this puzzle demonstrates why consistent strategy matters — using strong starting words that contain common letters can help narrow down possibilities more efficiently.

For those looking to improve their Wordle performance, today’s puzzle offers valuable lessons. Starting with words containing common consonants and vowels remains the most effective approach, while staying mindful that answers may contain repeated letters. As Wordle continues to engage millions daily, each puzzle provides not just entertainment but an opportunity to sharpen linguistic skills and strategic thinking.