Wordle Answer for January 20, 2026
Players who opened Wordle on January 20, 2026 were trying to land on SULLY. We've kept the day's hints around so you can revisit them — or use the archive to settle a debate about a tricky past puzzle.
The answer
SULLY
What sully means
To damage or tarnish the good reputation or purity of someone or something.
Where the word comes from
From Middle English *sulien*, possibly influenced by Old French *souiller* (to soil or stain). The Old French word comes from Latin *suculare*, related to *sus* (pig), since pigs were associated with dirt and mud. The sense of "to damage reputation" developed alongside the physical meaning of soiling or dirtying.
Hints for January 20, 2026
Each row is the starting word our algorithm picks for that turn count, with the tiles Wordle would have shown in response.
Synonyms of sully
- denigrate
- corrupt
- slander
- taint
- maculate
- defile
- tarnish
- defame
Used in a sentence
The mud from the construction site will _____ the white carpet if we're not careful.
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