If you’ve ever participated in the New York Times Spelling Bee, you understand the thrill of uncovering that elusive word right before your eyes. Today’s puzzle is particularly enjoyable as it presents a mix of simple and slightly challenging combinations. In this post, you’ll find the complete list of words you can create, discover strategies to help you solve puzzles more efficiently, and have the opportunity to share any words you discovered that aren’t included here.
About Today’s Puzzle
With ‘Y’ as the centerpiece, today’s puzzle has a surprisingly spacious feel. The adjacent letters combine soft consonants with useful vowels, encouraging extensions and -LY endings. While four-letter words can be quickly identified, the true progress lies in expanding outward to discover longer, more rewarding words.
NYT Spelling Bee Words and Answers: January 20, 2026
Below is a comprehensive list of words that fit the criteria for today’s puzzle. Note that some may be less common, so the official NYT list might differ.
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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 the standout pangram of the day, incorporating every letter in the puzzle while remaining a natural-sounding word. Although it’s a longer word, it rewards careful examination of familiar roots. Once you grasp how the letters interact and recur, it becomes a satisfying affirmation that you’ve successfully solved the puzzle.
Quick Tactics for Any Puzzle
- Start with the center letter.
Since every word must contain it, begin by forming short “roots” with that letter before expanding your options. - Utilize prefixes and suffixes.
Look for common beginnings (like re-, pre-, tri-) and endings (like -er, -ry, -ing). These patterns frequently unlock several words. - Anagram your findings.
After discovering a word, try rearranging its letters—you’ll often find additional words lurking within. - Employ repeated letters.
Keep in mind that the same letter can appear multiple times. Doubling letters can reveal words you might have missed otherwise. - Seek out pangrams.
Attempt to use all seven letters at least once. While pangrams can be elusive, finding one feels like a major triumph.
Habits to Sharpen Your Skills
- Start with simple four-letter words to kickstart your thinking.
- Experiment with different combinations of vowels and consonants to see what works.
- Take breaks and return with fresh eyes—this can help you spot words you initially overlooked.
- Use pen and paper. Jotting down letters or sketching out patterns can unveil hidden words.
- Try word-finding apps. These can be useful for practice, but use them sparingly to maintain the challenge.
- Maintain a personal word journal. Keep track of words you often miss. Over time, you’ll train yourself to recognize them swiftly.
Wrap-Up
The Spelling Bee for January 20 serves as a wonderful reminder that persistence pays off. If you kept building upon your words and experimenting with letter repetitions, chances are you reaped the rewards. How many words did you find today—and were you able to identify the pangram on your own?
