Is the game cheating?

It always keeps an answer that fits every reply so far, so it never lies. It just picks the answer that is hardest for you.

What is a good score?

Around six or seven guesses is strong. The fewest that is possible is far lower but needs perfect play.

No. The game plays the same way every time, so each game is a fresh challenge.

A five-letter word game with no fixed answer. The game keeps changing the word to dodge you, and you win by naming the last one left.

Sly Word

0% · Getting ready

A real run of the game, recorded with captions and no sound.

Type a five-letter word and press Enter. Tiles show green, amber or dark just like in a normal word game.
There is no hidden word yet. After each guess the game keeps whichever answers leave you the most possible words, so it dodges you.
Keep guessing until only one word is left and you name it. There is no limit on guesses.
Fewer guesses is better. Your best is saved on this device. The counter shows how many words are still possible.

Controls: mouse, touch or keyboard. Made by CalcoTools.

Aim for guesses that split the remaining words into many groups, not for lucky hits.
Use the Words left counter. A drop to a few hundred means a good guess.
Try words with different vowels early to learn which vowels the game keeps.
Once few words are left, list them and choose the guess that tells them apart.

Is the game cheating?: It always keeps an answer that fits every reply so far, so it never lies. It just picks the answer that is hardest for you.
What is a good score?: Around six or seven guesses is strong. The fewest that is possible is far lower but needs perfect play.
Is there a daily?: No. The game plays the same way every time, so each game is a fresh challenge.