If you’ve ever played the New York Times Spelling Bee, you know how satisfying it feels to find that one word hiding in plain sight. Today’s puzzle is especially fun because the combinations are both straightforward and a little tricky. In this post, you’ll see the full word list you can make, learn some strategies to help you solve puzzles faster, and get a chance to share any words you spotted that aren’t listed here.
About today’s puzzle
With Y as the center letter, today’s puzzle feels surprisingly open. The surrounding letters blend soft consonants with helpful vowels, encouraging word extensions and -LY endings. While four-letter starters appear quickly, the real progress comes from building outward into longer, more satisfying finds.
NYT Spelling Bee Words and Answers: January 20 2026
Here’s a best-effort list of words that fit today’s rules. Keep in mind: some are rare or unusual, so the official NYT list may vary.
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ALIT
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ALLAY
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ALLY
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ANTI
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ATILT
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FAIL
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FAINT
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FAINTLY
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FALL
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FANNY
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FATAL
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FATALITY
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FATALLY
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FATLY
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FATTY
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FINAL
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FINALITY
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FINALLY
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FLAT
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FLATLY
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FLAY
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INANITY
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INFANT
Pangram of the day
INFANTILITY is today’s standout pangram, weaving together every letter in the hive while still feeling like a natural, readable word. It’s a longer find, but one that rewards careful layering of familiar roots. Once you notice how the letters repeat and flow, it becomes a satisfying confirmation that you’ve fully cracked the puzzle.
Quick tactics for any puzzle
- Start with the center letter.
Since every word must include it, try building short “roots” with that letter first, then expand. - Play with prefixes and suffixes.
Look for common starters (like re-, pre-, tri-) and endings (like -er, -ry, -ing). These patterns often unlock multiple words. - Anagram your discoveries.
Once you’ve found a word, shuffle its letters around — you’ll often uncover two or three more. - Use repeated letters.
Remember, the same letter can appear more than once. Doubling letters opens up words you might otherwise overlook. - Hunt for pangrams.
Try to use all seven letters at least once. Pangrams aren’t always easy, but when you find one, it feels like striking gold.
Habits to sharpen your skills
- Begin with easy 4-letter words to get your brain moving.
- Rotate vowels and consonants through different combinations to see what “clicks.”
- Step away and return later — fresh eyes will catch words you missed.
Optional tools if you want extra help
- Pen and paper. Writing the letters down or sketching patterns can reveal hidden words.
- Word-finding apps. Great for study or practice, but use sparingly if you want to keep the challenge.
- Personal word journal. Track words you miss often — over time, you’ll train yourself to recognize them quickly.
Wrap-up
January 20’s Spelling Bee is a great reminder that patience pays off. If you kept nudging words longer and experimenting with repeats, you were likely rewarded. How many did you find today—and did you spot the pangram on your own?
