- Puzzle #1338 Solution: The NYT Wordle answer for May 18, 2026, is LOATH, a five-letter adjective denoting reluctance.
- WordleBot Analytics: Global data indicates an average solve rate of 4.1 guesses, with the “L-H” structure catching many players in the LOATHE trap.
- Strategic Pivot: While common openers like STARE and ADIEU identify vowels early, linguistic precision regarding parts of speech is the key to today’s victory.
Finding the right word is often a battle of grammar as much as vocabulary. Today’s Wordle #1338 presents a classic linguistic trap that might leave your streak hanging by a single letter. If you are feeling a bit hesitant about your next guess, you aren’t alone—the community is currently grappling with a word that is frequently confused with its longer, verb-based cousin.
Whether you are looking for a gentle nudge or the full reveal to protect your 2026 stats, we have the breakdown you need to navigate this morning’s grid with confidence.
Strategic Hints for Wordle #1338
If you’re stuck but want to keep the puzzle spirit alive, use these hints to narrow down the possibilities before looking at the final answer.
- The Letter Count: As always, we are looking for five unique letters. There are no repetitions today.
- Vowel Distribution: There are exactly two vowels in this word, appearing in the second and third positions.
- Starting & Ending: The word begins with the consonant L and concludes with H.
- The Grammar Trap: This word is an adjective. If you are thinking of a word that means “to intensely dislike,” you are likely thinking of a six-letter verb instead.
WordleBot Performance & Global Stats
According to early morning data from the New York Times’ WordleBot, today’s puzzle has a difficulty rating of “Moderate.” The average player is finding the solution in 4.1 attempts. The most common pitfall involves players identifying the “LOAT” string and immediately attempting to add an “E” at the end, only to realize Wordle #1338 is strictly five letters.
| Metric | Stat |
|---|---|
| Average Guesses | 4.1 |
| Top Starting Word | SLATE (32% success in 3) |
| Common Fail Word | LOATH (Confused with LOATHE) |
For those looking to expand their daily puzzle repertoire beyond the grid, checking out the latest NYT Strands hints and answers can help keep your lateral thinking sharp for the rest of the week.
Today’s Wordle Answer: May 18, 2026
The moment of truth has arrived. If you are ready to see the solution and move on to your morning coffee, here it is.
The answer to Wordle #1338 is LOATH.
“I was loath to admit that I had forgotten the difference between an adjective and a verb.”
According to Merriam-Webster, LOATH is an adjective meaning “unwilling to do something contrary to one’s ways of thinking.” It is distinct from loathe (with an E), which is a verb meaning to feel intense dislike or disgust.
Yesterday’s Answer and Trends
In case you missed the previous puzzle, the Wordle answer for May 17, 2026, was BYLAW. We have seen a recent trend of words featuring the “W” and “Y” consonants, such as DOWDY and WAVER, making today’s cleaner vowel-consonant structure a welcome change for many.
If you find yourself frequently alternating between the Wordle grid and the NYT Mini Crossword, remember that the editors often cycle through similar linguistic themes across the puzzle suite. Keep an eye out for these patterns, especially as we head into the summer 2026 season. If you are already looking ahead to future challenges, you can bookmark our Wordle hints and solutions guide for upcoming July puzzles.
