If you’ve been puzzling over today’s NYT Spelling Bee, you’re in the right place. This daily challenge always brings a mix of fun and frustration, especially when you’re hunting for that elusive pangram. Today’s letters had a few tricky combinations, but with a strategic approach, the solution fell into place. Let me share how I cracked it, along with the complete word list so you can compare your progress.

Today’s Letter Set

• Center Letter: N

• Outer Letters: B, M, K, P, I, U

Finding the Pangram

When I first looked at these letters, my mind immediately tried forming common word endings and prefixes. Seeing N, P, and I together reminded me of pin, nip, and inn. Then, I noticed that adding K and B could form something more substantial.

The breakthrough came when I focused on combining as many letters as possible. After shuffling them around and considering letter frequency, the pangram revealed itself:

Pangram: BUMPKIN

It uses all the letters: B, U, M, P, K, I, and N. It’s a delightful word meaning “an unsophisticated person from the countryside.” This word gave me a huge score boost and the confidence to keep going!

How I Solved It

Here’s the exact process I used:

1. Start with Small Words: Began with simple 4-letter combinations like pinn, numb, and pump.

2. Look for Common Patterns: Added vowels strategically—unit, puni, nupi.

3. Spot Big Opportunities: Searched for unusual combinations like mp, bk which helped in forming the pangram.

4. Shuffle Often: Letter shuffling is a lifesaver—it helps break mental blocks.

5. Think Outside the Box: Words like bumpkin aren’t everyday terms, so widening your vocabulary pays off.

Complete Word List for Today

Here’s every valid word for today’s Spelling Bee puzzle:

4-Letter Words

• bunk

• kink

• numb

• mini

• pump

• nimb

• mink

• pink

5-Letter Words

• unpin

• minim

• pinup

• nimbi

6-Letter Words

• nubbin

• pippin

• unkink

7-Letter Word (Pangram!)

• bumpkin

• minimum

• pumpkin

(Note: Some rare words may surprise you—they’re all valid under the game’s rules.)

Pro Tips for Future Puzzles

• Prefixes & Suffixes: Always look for un-, -in, -kin patterns.

• Shuffle Regularly: It helps you see new word possibilities.

• Practice Daily: The more you play, the better you’ll get at spotting pangrams.

Wrapping Up Today’s Hive

Today’s puzzle was both fun and slightly tricky because of the unusual letter mix. The pangram bumpkin was a satisfying find, and the smaller words helped keep the score climbing.

Did you get the pangram without peeking? Or did you discover any obscure words I missed? Share your experience in the comments!

If you want to sharpen your skills and crush future puzzles, check out Spelling Better, an app designed for word game lovers. It offers real-time pangram challenges, multiplayer modes, and flashcards to help you dominate the NYT Spelling Bee.