Wordle Answer for January 28, 2026
Players who opened Wordle on January 28, 2026 were trying to land on CRUEL. 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
CRUEL
What cruel means
Deliberately causing pain, suffering, or distress to others without mercy or compassion.
Where the word comes from
From Old French *cruel*, which came from Latin *crudelis*, meaning "rough" or "hard." The Latin root may connect to *crudus* (raw, unripe), suggesting an association with something unpolished or brutal in nature. The sense of "causing pain deliberately" developed over time as the word entered English through Norman French in the 13th century.
Hints for January 28, 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 cruel
- hard
- rigorous
- vicious
- brutal
- harsh
- heartless
- barbarous
- roughshod
Used in a sentence
The king's _____ punishments made everyone in the kingdom fear his authority.
Working on today’s puzzle instead?
See today's Wordle hint →