Today’s Wordle #1684: Hint and Answers for January 28, 2026 (Wednesday)

Today's NYT Wordle hint and answer (Jan 28, 2026): Whether you’re sipping your first coffee of the morning or taking a quick lunch break, the Wednesday Wordle is a classic midweek ritual.

Today’s puzzle, Wordle #1684, isn't trying to break your brain, but it does require a bit of focus to avoid a brutal mistake. If you’re finding yourself staring at a sea of gray tiles, don’t let the frustration get to you.

Unlike yesterday's trickier solve, today's word is relatively common, though it might describe how you feel if you lose your streak!

What are Today’s Wordle Hints for Jan 28, 2026?

If you want to solve Wordle today, Jan 28, without jumping straight to the solution, these clues will help you narrow down the possibilities.

Hint 1: Letter Structure – Today’s answer contains two vowels and three consonants.

Hint 2: Repeated Letters – There are no repeating letters in this word; every tile is unique.

Hint 3: Starting Letter – The word begins with the letter “C.”

Hint 4: Ending Letter – The word ends with the letter “L.”

Hint 5: Meaning – This word is an adjective used to describe someone or something that willfully causes pain or distress to others.

What is the best starting word for Wordle today?

To maximize your efficiency for Wordle #1684, you want to eliminate common consonants and pin down those vowels early. Based on today's structure, a word like CRANE or CARET is an excellent opening move.

What is the Wordle Answer Today, January 28?

Are you ready for the big reveal? If you’ve used up five guesses and your streak is on the line, here is the answer you’ve been looking for.

The Wordle answer for Wednesday, January 28, 2026, is:

CRUEL

While the word itself has a negative connotation, finding it in time is definitely a positive win for your stats. CRUEL is a versatile adjective, and while the "U" in the second position can sometimes trip players up, the common "C" and "L" bookends usually make it manageable for daily players.

Previous Answers from Wordle Archive

Wordle Hint for 27 January, 2026 #1683: DUSKY

Wordle Hint for 23 January, 2026 #1679: BARON

Wordle Hint for 22 January, 2026 #1678: CLINK

Wordle Hint for 21 January, 2026 #1677: CUBIC

Wordle Hint for 20 January, 2026 #1676: SULLY

Wordle Hint for 19 January, 2026 #1675: WAXEN

Congratulations on protecting your streak! Wordle #1684 is officially in the books. Let us know in the comments how many attempts out of the six guesses got you to the final answer today.