Key Highlights
- The November 18th puzzle in Wordle is challenging players with a tough word “Opine.”
- Wordle’s built-in AI helper tracks player performance and indicates today’s puzzle as particularly difficult.
- “Opine” is a verb that isn’t commonly used, making it harder for players to guess the answer quickly.
- Average completion rate of 3.6 moves in easy mode shows the puzzle’s difficulty level.
Wordle’s Latest Challenge: “Opine”
The daily word game Wordle has once again thrown a curveball to its players, with today’s answer being the verb “Opine,” known for its complexity and rarity in everyday language. This unique challenge is part of the ongoing trend of creating increasingly difficult puzzles to keep enthusiasts engaged.
The AI’s Insight: A Tough Puzzle
According to Tom’s Guide, their resident Wordle expert uses a built-in AI helper from The New York Times. The AI analyzes player performance and indicates that today’s puzzle (Wordle #1,613) is particularly challenging. On average, players complete the November 18th puzzle in 3.6 moves in easy mode, or 3.5 if playing by hard rules. This difficulty level places it among some of the more demanding puzzles Wordle has seen.
Historical Context: Past Tough Puzzles
To put today’s challenge into perspective, one of the toughest Wordle puzzles was #454 back in September 2022, which had a score of 6.3 moves on easy mode. Another notable tough puzzle occurred on October 24th, where players averaged 4.1 moves in easy mode or 4.2 on hard mode. These statistics highlight the variability and unpredictability of Wordle’s difficulty from day to day.
Why “Opine” is Challenging
The word “Opine,” according to Merriam-Webster, means “to express opinions.” Its complexity lies not just in its structure but also in its infrequency of use. Many players found the answer difficult because it’s a verb that isn’t commonly used in day-to-day speech. This makes it harder for players to guess based on common word patterns and starting letters.
“Today was quite tricky because of the triple-vowel situation, but I don’t think that was the only reason,” said Erin Bashford, Senior Writer at Tom’s Guide. “I feel like Wordle tends to use nouns more regularly than verbs, so when the answer is a verb, it trips people up subconsciously.” Erin’s observation highlights how the nature of the word itself can influence player performance.
Expert Insights: The Verdict
Our Global Editor in Chief Mark Spoonauer also weighed in on the difficulty. “I can say this is one of the few times where I’ve gotten all 5 letters and am still having trouble figuring out the answer,” he said, emphasizing how rare it is for even experienced players to struggle with a puzzle like today’s.
Josh, another colleague, mentioned that starting with his constant starter “Plate” gave him a good foundation. However, both Erin and Josh noted that they didn’t lose their streaks despite the challenge posed by the word “Opine.”
Conclusion
The Future of Wordle
The difficulty of today’s puzzle serves as an interesting case study in the ongoing evolution of Wordle. As a game, it continually strives to keep players engaged and challenged. While some might find it frustrating, others see these tough puzzles as part of the fun.
The AI’s insights provide valuable data for both casual players and those interested in analyzing Wordle’s trends.
As Wordle continues to evolve, expect more challenging puzzles like today’s “Opine.” These tough words not only test players’ vocabularies but also add a layer of unpredictability that keeps the game exciting. For now, players are encouraged to keep their streaks intact and enjoy the mental exercise that comes with tackling such tricky puzzles.
