Today’s Wordle MYRRH Puzzle Shatters Streaks in Shocking Seasonal Twist

Wordle players worldwide faced a brutal puzzle today. The answer for December 19 was MYRRH, a vowel-free word that derailed countless winning streaks. This Christmas-themed word proved exceptionally difficult for the game’s massive player base.

The New York Times confirmed the puzzle’s official difficulty rating. According to their data, the average solve took 4.3 guesses out of six. This ranks it among the most challenging puzzles of 2025.

Breaking the Vowel Rule: Why MYRRH is So Difficult

MYRRH contains zero standard vowels. Players typically use starting words like STARE or ADIEU to find A, E, I, O, or U. This strategy failed completely against today’s puzzle.

The word uses the letter Y as its only vowel sound. It combines this with four consonants: M, R, R, and H. The unusual RRH letter cluster at the end is a rare pattern in English.

This structure violates typical Wordle construction. Most puzzles balance vowels and consonants for solvable gameplay. MYRRH’s consonant-heavy makeup forced players into unfamiliar guessing patterns.

The Christmas Connection and Its Impact

MYRRH is a fragrant gum resin with biblical significance. It was one of the three gifts the Magi presented to the infant Jesus. This seasonal link provided the only major hint for many stuck players.

Despite the Christmas clue, the word’s obscurity caused major problems. Many younger players or those from non-religious backgrounds had never encountered the term. Even knowing the definition offered little help with its spelling.

The puzzle’s timing during the holiday week added to the frustration. Players relaxing with their morning game found their routines disrupted. Social media filled with complaints and shared disbelief over the answer.

Trusted Sources

Information for this report was gathered from official New York Times Wordle data, analysis from CNET, and reporting by TechRadar. These sources provide authoritative insight into game mechanics and player trends.

Today’s Wordle answer, MYRRH, served as a stark reminder that the game can still deliver a vicious challenge. Its clever seasonal tie-in did little to soften the blow for those who lost long-cherished streaks to its consonant-heavy jumble.

A quick knowledge drop for you

What was the Wordle answer for December 19?

The answer was MYRRH. This five-letter word refers to an aromatic resin used in perfumes and incense. It is famously known as one of the gifts from the Biblical Magi.

Why was today’s Wordle so hard?

It contained no standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U). The word also features a double R followed by an H, which is a very uncommon letter pattern in English. This combination broke most players’ standard solving strategies.

What does MYRRH mean?

Myrrh is a natural gum resin extracted from thorny trees native to regions like Somalia and Yemen. It has a bitter taste and a strong, pleasant fragrance, historically used in medicine, perfume, and religious rituals.

Are puzzles like this common in Wordle?

No, they are quite rare. The New York Times, which publishes the game, typically avoids words with no standard vowels. Puzzles of this difficulty level appear only a handful of times per year to maintain player engagement.

What’s a good strategy for vowel-less Wordles?

Start with words that use Y as a vowel, like NYMPH or CRYPT. This quickly tests if you’re dealing with a standard puzzle or a tricky one. Also, consider common consonant doubles like SS, TT, or LL early on.

Will the New York Times use more words like this?

Editorial director Everdeen Mason has stated the goal is a mix of easy, medium, and hard puzzles. Extremely difficult words like MYRRH are used sparingly to provide memorable challenges without frustrating the core player base regularly.