The viral success of Wordle in 2021 sparked a wave of daily word puzzles, and even after its acquisition by The New York Times in 2022, players are still looking for alternatives. If you’ve exhausted the five-letter challenge, or just want to expand your brain-training repertoire, here’s a breakdown of ten word games worth checking out. These options range from familiar twists on the Wordle formula to entirely unique challenges, but all offer engaging mental stimulation.
The New York Times Suite: Connections & Strands
The New York Times has doubled down on word puzzles, offering two compelling options beyond Wordle. Connections challenges players to group four sets of four words, testing associative thinking and pattern recognition. Difficulty scales from yellow (easiest) to purple (hardest), making it accessible to casual and hardcore puzzle-solvers alike.
Strands provides a more traditional word-search experience, but with a twist. Words can be arranged in non-linear patterns (forward, backward, diagonal, or zigzag), and every letter in the grid is part of the solution.
Both games require a New York Times subscription (starting at $1/week) to play.
Apple’s Exclusive: Quartiles
For Apple News Plus subscribers, Quartiles offers a unique tile-based word challenge. The game presents 20 letter tiles, and players must combine them into four-letter “quartiles.” While demanding, the satisfaction of forming a word from seemingly random letters is undeniable. A subscription to Apple News Plus is required (starting at $13/month).
Wordle Variations: Dordle, Quordle, Octordle, Sedecordle
If you’re craving a greater challenge, several Wordle spin-offs amplify the difficulty. Dordle requires solving two words simultaneously, while Quordle, Octordle, and Sedecordle demand solving four, eight, and sixteen words at once, respectively. These games test multitasking and rapid deduction. All are free to play in any web browser.
Niche Options: Lewdle, Antiwordle, Absurdle
For those seeking something different, several niche titles stand out. Lewdle is a profanity-themed Wordle clone, while Antiwordle flips the script, challenging players to avoid guessing the correct word for as long as possible. Absurdle is an adversarial version that actively tries to thwart the player, changing the target word to prolong the game. These games offer unconventional and often frustrating, yet addictive, experiences.
These alternative word games prove there’s life beyond Wordle. Whether you’re looking for a familiar challenge with a twist or a completely new mental workout, there’s an option out there to test your vocabulary and problem-solving skills.
