Look, we've all been there. You wake up, grab your coffee, open the New York Times Games app, and stare at those five empty grey boxes like they're a personal insult. It’s August 28, and the Wordle answer today is one of those words that feels easy until it absolutely isn't.
Wordle is a weird psychological experiment. Josh Wardle originally created it as a gift for his partner, Palak Shah, but now it’s basically a global morning ritual that dictates whether thousands of people start their day feeling like a genius or a total failure. If you're struggling with the Wordle answer August 28, don't feel bad. The game uses a curated list of roughly 2,300 five-letter words, and while the NYT has tweaked the list since buying it for a "low seven-figure sum" in 2022, the core challenge remains the same: managing your "burn" guesses while the clock (and your streak) ticks down.
Breaking Down the Wordle Answer August 28
The word today is SKIMP.
It’s a tough one. Why? Because it uses a "K" and a "P," two letters that aren't exactly rare but certainly aren't "E" or "A." Most people follow the standard optimization strategies—starting with words like ADIEU, STARE, or AUDIO. If you started with STARE today, you got that "S" early, but you were likely left hunting for vowels that just weren't there in the places you expected.
💡 You might also like: Deimos God of War: Why the Spartan Brother Deserved Better
Why SKIMP is a Streak-Killer
When we look at the linguistics of Wordle, "SK" starts are tricky. They often lead people down rabbit holes. You think SKILL? No. SKATE? Nope. SKIRT? Close, but no cigar. By the time you realize there’s an "M" and a "P" involved, you’re usually on guess five.
Honestly, the word "skimp" itself—meaning to expend less time, money, or material than is necessary—is a bit ironic for a game where you really shouldn't skimp on your strategy. Most players fail because they get "locked in." They find three letters and keep guessing variations of those three letters without testing new consonants. It’s called a "trap" word. While SKIMP isn't a classic -IGHT or -OUND trap, it’s a phonetic outlier for many casual players.
The Science of Your Starting Word
If you struggled with the Wordle answer August 28, your starting word probably failed you. MIT researchers and data scientists have spent an absurd amount of time calculating the "best" Wordle opener.
While many swear by CRANE or SALET, the reality is that the best word is the one that eliminates the most common consonants for you. If you’re a "Hard Mode" player, you’re forced to use the hints you find. This makes words like SKIMP incredibly dangerous. If you get the "S" and the "I" early, you might find yourself stuck in a loop of SHIPS, SLIMS, or STINT.
💡 You might also like: Final Fantasy X Macalania Temple: What Most People Get Wrong
The New York Times' own "WordleBot" often suggests starting with words that have high "information gain." It’s a mathematical concept. Basically, you want a word that cuts the remaining possibilities in half, and then in half again. Using a word with a "K" early on is usually a bad move—unless, of course, the word is SKIMP.
Wordle’s Evolution Under the New York Times
Ever since the NYT took over, people have complained that the words are getting harder. Or more "NYT-ish." Remember when CACTI or FETUS showed up? The internet went into a tailspin.
The truth? The list was mostly pre-programmed by Wardle himself. However, the NYT has removed some obscure or potentially offensive words. They’ve also introduced a dedicated editor, Tracy Bennett, to oversee the puzzles. This human touch means the words sometimes feel more "thematic," even if it’s just a coincidence.
For the Wordle answer August 28, we’re seeing a classic example of a word that is common in speech but rare in puzzle structures. We say "don't skimp on the details," but we don't often write it out in a five-letter grid.
Common Misconceptions About Today's Puzzle
- Is it a double letter day? No. Thank goodness. Double letters like MAMMA or ABBEY are the true villains of this game.
- Is there a "Y"? Not today. People often throw a "Y" at the end of a word when they’re desperate. Not gonna help you with SKIMP.
- Is it a plural? Wordle almost never uses simple plurals ending in "S" (like CATS) as the answer, although "S" can be the starting letter, as we see today.
Tips for Tomorrow (Because You’ll Need Them)
If you lost your streak on the Wordle answer August 28, it’s time to rebuild. It takes 100 days to get that "100" icon, and one bad day to flush it.
🔗 Read more: Properties All Around Tarkov: Why Map Knowledge is Your Real Armor
First, stop using the same starting word every single day if it isn't working. Rotate between a few high-vowel words and a few consonant-heavy words. Second, if you’re on guess four and you still have no clue, don't guess the answer. Instead, use guess five to play a word that contains five completely new letters. It’s better to lose a turn but guarantee the win on guess six than to take a blind stab and fail.
Words to Watch Out For
In the coming weeks, keep an eye out for words with "V," "Z," and "X." The editors love to drop a GAUZE or a VAPID right when you’re feeling confident.
Also, pay attention to the "Wordle Hard Mode" trap. If you find yourself with _ _ I N T, stop. Don't guess FLINT, then STINT, then PRINT. You will lose. Play a word like FLAPS to test multiple consonants at once. It’s the only way to survive the statistical anomalies.
Actionable Steps for Your Wordle Strategy
To stop getting beat by words like SKIMP, you need to change your tactical approach. Most people play too "hot"—they want the 2/6 or 3/6 score for the dopamine hit. If you want to keep a streak alive, you have to play "cold."
- Analyze your "Greens": If you get a green "S" at the start, don't immediately assume the word follows a standard consonant-vowel pattern.
- Vowel Hunting: If "A" and "E" are gone, "I" is your next best friend. SKIMP relies heavily on that central "I."
- The "K" Factor: Whenever you have a word that feels "empty," try the "K" or "P." They are more common than you think in the Wordle dictionary.
- Use a Notebook: Actually writing down the letters you have left can clear the mental fog that happens when you're staring at a screen.
The Wordle answer August 28 is a reminder that even "simple" words can be deceptive. Tomorrow is a new grid. Use what you learned about the "S-K" construction and the importance of testing rare consonants early when the common ones fail. Keep your streak alive by playing the percentages, not your gut.