Merriam-Webster

· US · merriam-webster.com

Email archive since 2022

US · merriam-webster.com

30 emails found

Emails

Merriam-Webster
US · June 8, 2026 1:03pm

Merriam-Webster
US · June 8, 2026 1:03pm

Moment of truth

Happy Monday! Before you start your busy day, take a moment to check out today's bonus Blossom challenge! Using all the letters in today’s Blossom, TAEILRY, what’s one way to describe "I'll be right there," or "I just saw your text"?_ _ E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ E _ _E Reply to this email if you think you have the right answer!
Merriam-Webster
US · June 7, 2026 1:04pm

Merriam-Webster
US · June 7, 2026 1:04pm

Finish the hero's journey

Happy Sunday! Earlier this week, nearly two-thirds of Tightrope players stumbled when we asked this question: Greek mythological adventurer Jason was said to have crossed the Black Sea to the land of Colchis, in what modern-day country? A. Georgia B. Iran C. Hungary D. Croatia Perhaps the following factoid will help you complete your heroic redemption: The second-largest city in the country in question is Batumi, situated on the coast of the Black Sea. In 2007, to emphasize its connection to the famous story, Batumi unveiled a statue of the Colchis princess (and later wife of Jason), Medea, holding the Golden Fleece. Check further down in this email for the right answer!
Merriam-Webster
US · June 6, 2026 1:03pm

Merriam-Webster
US · June 6, 2026 1:03pm

"And" now the reveal...

Happy Saturday! Yesterday we asked which typographical symbol was formed by merging the letters "e" and "t"...and the answer is "&"! The ampersand is a mash up of "et," Latin for "and." Many thanks to everyone who wrote in! Special shout-outs to Carol Glasser in Mesa, AZ; Aimee in Starkville, MS; & Dawn Del Vecchio in Los Angeles, CA, for their speedy replies! If you are interested in more questions about symbols, check out this quiz!
Merriam-Webster
US · June 5, 2026 1:02pm

Merriam-Webster
US · June 5, 2026 1:02pm

Make your mark

Happy Friday! Today's lead-off Tightrope question concerns those "weird little marks" known as quotation marks. Here at the Games Newsletter, we love all punctuation, period. With that in mind, here's a bonus question: Which typographical symbol was formed by merging the letters "e" and "t"? Think you know the answer? Reply to this email and let us know!
Merriam-Webster
US · June 4, 2026 1:06pm

Merriam-Webster
US · June 4, 2026 1:06pm

Boldly going where no newsletter's gone before

Happy Stardate 5928.5 (or, as it's known on Earth, Thursday)! We found it both fascinating and highly illogical how many Tightrope players knew that the final episode of Star Trek aired 57 years ago yesterday! Most of yesterday's questions included the names of the show's main characters (including a Chappell Roan question as a nod to Nurse Chapel). The one about aphids might have been a head-scratcher, but the bugs' knack for being born pregnant is reminiscent of the quick-breeding fuzzballs from "The Trouble with Tribbles." Was there a more apt animal to ask about? Maybe, but darn it, we're a games newsletter, not a zoology textbook! A hearty "live long and prosper" to everyone who beamed into our inbox! Special shout-outs to the following people for writing in at warp speed: Rich Manor in Waynesboro, VA; Gail Goetz in Gold Bar, WA; and Karina Marshall in Crofton, BC, Canada.
Merriam-Webster
US · June 3, 2026 1:03pm

Merriam-Webster
US · June 3, 2026 1:03pm

Method to the madness

Happy Wednesday! As always, the midpoint of the week means just one thing: today's Tightrope quiz has a hidden theme! Today's theme is somehow connected to an event that happened on this day in history. Inquiring minds want to know: when you attempt to suss out the hidden theme, do you briefly review events that happened on this day before, during, or after the quiz? Do you try to figure it out off the dome before thumbing through the history books? Any way you choose to play works for us! Once you've got it figured out, reply to this email—and include your theme-finding methodology if you'd like!
Merriam-Webster
US · June 2, 2026 1:00pm

Merriam-Webster
US · June 2, 2026 1:00pm

A mandible for all seasons

Happy Tuesday! Yesterday, we asked Blossom players to come up with a phrase someone might say about their boyfriend's jawline. We thought "HIS CHIN IS SO NICE" just rolls off the tongue! We had a positively jaw-dropping number of responses! Thank you all so much. Special shout-outs to the following people for responding in the blink of an eye: Alex the Octordle Lover in Bristol, UK; Athol McGregor in Alberton, South Africa; and William Seaton in Los Angeles, CA! If you'd like to cut your teeth on more brainteasers, check out The Loop, our daily picture puzzle game, here! If you'd like to cut your teeth on more brainteasers, check out The Loop, our daily picture puzzle game, here!
Merriam-Webster
US · June 1, 2026 1:02pm

Merriam-Webster
US · June 1, 2026 1:02pm

Put your game face on

Happy Monday! Before you put your nose firmly to the grindstone that is the workweek, put your game face on by solving this Blossom challenge: Using all the letters in today’s Blossom, ECHINOS, describe what someone might say about their boyfriend’s strong jawline: "_ _ _ C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ C _" Is the answer on the tip of your tongue? Reply to this email and let us know!
Merriam-Webster
US · May 31, 2026 1:03pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 31, 2026 1:03pm

Balance the books

Happy Sunday! For today's brainbuster, we look back at a question that a whopping 70 percent of Tightrope players got wrong, making it little better than a guess! Here's your chance to correct that mistake: After his novel The Corrections was chosen for Oprah’s Book Club, who got uninvited from appearing on her show for criticizing her taste? A. Cormac McCarthy B. John Grisham C. Michael Chabon D. Jonathan Franzen This public dust-up happened in 2001, but by 2010 the two had squashed their beef, with Oprah selecting the author's next novel, Freedom, for her book list. Think you know it? Check below for the "write" answer!
Merriam-Webster
US · May 30, 2026 5:35pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 30, 2026 5:35pm

Introducing How Everything Works

A new daily newsletter
Merriam-Webster
US · May 30, 2026 1:04pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 30, 2026 1:04pm

Motley zoo

Happy Saturday! Yesterday, we asked for three five-letter animals from among the hundreds of possible Blossom words. The three we had in mind were LLAMA, MAMBA, and SABLE, but readers went wild spotting ones we hadn't counted on! When plurals are considered, LAMBS and TEALS (a type of bird) fit the bill. There's nothing fishy about BETTA as an answer, but SMELT doesn't pass the smell test because it lacks the central A. And while BEAST isn't an animal, per se, it's no burden to count it as correct since we applaud thinking outside the (b)ox. Thanks to everyone who answered the call of nature (so to speak)! Special shout-outs to Sharon Miller in St. Petersburg, FL; Donna Hartnett in Chester Springs, PA; Jeff Lerner on Long Island, NY; and Shirley Marriott in Lecanto, FL for quickly rounding up the critters.
Merriam-Webster
US · May 29, 2026 1:03pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 29, 2026 1:03pm

Animal instincts

Happy Friday! Before you turn into a "party animal" this weekend, take some time to consider this challenge: there are at least three different five-letter animals lurking among today's Blossom words. Can you find them all? As always with these sorts of challenges, please keep in mind that these short words don't make for impressive scores, so this is strictly a catch-and-release situation. Good luck!
Merriam-Webster
US · May 28, 2026 1:06pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 28, 2026 1:06pm

A bridge just far enough

Happy Thursday! Yesterday's Tightrope quiz spanned wide-ranging areas of knowledge, but as many players discovered, they all somehow connected to San Francisco and/or the Golden Gate Bridge, which opened on May 27, 1937. One question asked about the alt-rock band They Might Be Giants, which formed in Brooklyn, New York. However, if you found random pro athletes in San Francisco, they might be Giants (or they might be 49ers, or Warriors, or Valkyries...). Was that a bridge too far, or a bridge just far enough? The "pedestrian" vocab question referred to the fact that, on May 27, the Golden Gate Bridge was open to pedestrian traffic only. An estimated 15,000 visitors per hour paid 25 cents to cross the bridge. At noon on May 28, President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressed a telegraph key at his White House desk to signal the start of auto traffic. Thanks to everyone who came on this journey with us! Special shout-outs to the following people for their speedy replies: Paul Booth in Dearborn, MI; Carolyn Pasternak in Rhome, TX; and Rachel Stallard in Kilgore, TX. Stay golden!
Merriam-Webster
US · May 27, 2026 1:03pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 27, 2026 1:03pm

Reading between the lines

Happy Wednesday! It's midweek, so that means it's time to don your deerstalker and grab your comically large magnifying glass as you try to uncover today's Tightrope hidden theme! We're back on our historical grind, so today's questions and answers all have something to do with an event that happened on this date in history. If you think you've figured it out, reply to this email and let us know!
Merriam-Webster
US · May 26, 2026 1:02pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 26, 2026 1:02pm

Time to let the cat out of the bag

Happy Tuesday! Yesterday, we piqued the curiosity of many Blossom players by asking for a phrase describing applause for an all-feline production of The Nutcracker. Please take a bow if you figured out that such a response would CELEBRATE A CAT BALLET! (How they would cast the Mouse King is still a mystery...) Bravo and brava to everyone who wrote in! Special shout outs to the following people for pouncing on this one so quickly: Barbara Miller in Florham Park, NJ; Lisa Owens in Thunder Bay, ON, Canada; and James Penha in Bali, Indonesia. You are the cat's meow! And if you're interested in more mental jetés, check out our daily picture puzzle, The Loop, here!
Merriam-Webster
US · May 25, 2026 1:04pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 25, 2026 1:04pm

Sink your claws into this challenge

Happy Monday! No need to dance around it, here is today's Blossom challenge: Using all the letters in today's Blossom, LABCERT, describe what you do when you applaud an all-feline performance of The Nutcracker._ _ _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ T Think you've got this one by the tail? Reply to this email and let us know!
Merriam-Webster
US · May 24, 2026 1:03pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 24, 2026 1:03pm

Putting the "there" in there

Happy Sunday! About 60 percent of players missed this week's Tightrope brainbuster, which focused on an author's complicated history with her hometown of Oakland and her line, "there is no there there." Please indulge us as we spin a yarn: In 2005, eight-foot-tall letters spelling "THERE" and "HERE" were erected as public art at the Oakland city limits as an homage to the author. Seeing the quote as a slight to the city, renegade knitters (yes, knitters) altered the sculpture by knitting a cozy completely around the "T," a practice known as yarn bombing. While the creators of the sculpture applauded the act of civil disobedience, the cozy was eventually removed. To those who didn't have luck with this question the first time around, we say, "There, there." Take another shot at it—we're sure you'll answer it to a T: Who wrote “there is no there there” about her demolished childhood home, a comment commonly regarded as an insult to her hometown Oakland, California? A. Flannery O'Connor B. Gertrude Stein C. Virginia Woolf D. Louisa May Alcott Check lower in this email for the correct answer!
Merriam-Webster
US · May 23, 2026 1:01pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 23, 2026 1:01pm

Going the distance

Happy Saturday! Yesterday we asked for a three-letter word and a four-letter word that commonly go with "race," using only yesterday's Blossom letters. We are now ready to wave the checkered flag and reveal that we were looking for RAT and DRAG! Thanks to everyone who crossed the finish line by writing in to us! And for responding in record time, here is a well-deserved victory lap for the following racers: Angel from Easton, PA; Karen Eschmann in Racine, WI; and Debbie in St. Pete, FL. If you are interested in more common phrases that share a word, check out this quiz!
Merriam-Webster
US · May 22, 2026 1:08pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 22, 2026 1:08pm

Off to the races

Happy Friday! As we rush headlong toward the weekend, make a quick pit stop to consider the following Blossom challenge: using today’s letters—DEGRTUA—make a three-letter word and a four-letter word that are commonly paired with “race.” If you think you’ve got the answer, reply to this email! On your mark, get set, go!
Merriam-Webster
US · May 21, 2026 2:05pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 21, 2026 2:05pm

A New Atlas for Kids 🌎

Discover the World with Merriam-Webster's Student Atlas
Merriam-Webster
US · May 21, 2026 1:06pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 21, 2026 1:06pm

If quizzes be the food of love, play on

Happy Thursday! Where many people might have only seen questions about sports equipment, a Florida city, and a DNA scientist, several clever Tightrope players clocked mentions of Puck, Orlando, and Rosalind while figuring out yesterday's hidden theme: William Shakespeare! While Marco Polo does not specifically appear in The Merchant of Venice, there is no denying the Italian trader and explorer was certainly a merchant from Venice. It's a bit of folly, but the course of Tightrope hidden themes never did run smooth! Thank you to everyone who wrote in! You are such stuff as dreams are made on! Special shout-outs to the following bardolaters for their hasty replies: Sue Lane in Essex, UK; Chris D. in Chelmsford, UK; and Shelly Shalev in Israel.
Merriam-Webster
US · May 20, 2026 1:03pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 20, 2026 1:03pm

No day but today

Happy Wednesday! As always, we mark the midweek by making all of today's Tightrope questions about a hidden theme. Unlike most Wednesdays, today we are not basing it on any event that took place on this day in history. The last time we did this, the theme was chess, and we had very few correct responses. If you'd like a better-than-average chance to see your name in lights (or a games newsletter, anyway), respond to this email with your guess!
Merriam-Webster
US · May 19, 2026 1:03pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 19, 2026 1:03pm

Current affairs

Happy Tuesday! Yesterday we asked for a phrase a team of punny electricians might say when fretting over some new wiring, using all of yesterday's Blossom letters. Hopefully you didn't blow a fuse trying to come up with OUR CURRENT CONCERN! We did get our wires crossed and forgot to include the set of blanks! This led several readers to think outside the junction box. Marion Masseur in the Netherlands buzzed in with COUNTERCURRENT, and Shirley Marriott in Lecanto, FL, lit up with NONCONCURRENT. Jeff Lerner of Long Island, NY, suggested CURRENT TORTURE—anyone who has done DIY electrical work might relate to that one. We are so amped up by the number of people who wrote in! You certainly brightened our day! Special shout-outs to Robin Prevade in Pittsburgh, PA; Alan Carter in Fairview, NC; and William Seaton in Los Angeles, CA for their plugged-in responses! If you are interested in more "circuit"ous logic, try linking 12 images together in our picture-puzzle game The Loop!
Merriam-Webster
US · May 18, 2026 1:03pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 18, 2026 1:03pm

How many electricians does it take to solve a Blossom challenge?

Happy Monday! Reclaim your power this morning by solving today's Blossom challenge! Using all the letters in today’s Blossom—OCENRTU—show how a team of punny electricians might describe anxiety over new wiring. If you feel a little light bulb turn on above your head, respond to this email and let us know!
Merriam-Webster
US · May 17, 2026 1:09pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 17, 2026 1:09pm

Can you deduce the recluse?

Happy Sunday! More than half of Tightrope players missed this week's brainbuster, which asked about a certain reclusive author and his childhood foray into acting. As this author grew up, he came to famously despise Hollywood. He allowed his short story “Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut” to be adapted into a movie but was so disappointed with the result, titled My Foolish Heart, that he never again gave permission for his works to be adapted for the big screen. Here is your second chance to deduce the recluse: At age 11 which author was voted the most popular actor at his summer camp, though later in life he famously became a recluse? James Baldwin F. Scott Fitzgerald Ernest Hemingway J.D. Salinger Check below for the answer, and if you are interested in literary big-screen adaptations, check out this quiz!
Merriam-Webster
US · May 16, 2026 1:01pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 16, 2026 1:01pm

We have your number

Happy Saturday! Yesterday we asked you to find, among the possible Blossom words, a four-letter digit and a six-letter long digit. We were looking for NINE (a numerical digit) and FINGER (an anatomical digit)! Geoffrey Auckland in Chantilly, Oise, France, offered a helpful pointer—RING, as in the neighbor of the pinkie, also works. While it's not what we had in mind, we like it, so we'll put a ring on it (our list of acceptable answers, that is). Thanks to everyone who wrote in, giving us the finger (and the nine)! Special shout-outs to Donna Hartnett in Chester Springs, PA; Debbie B in Middlebury, CT; and Karen & Mark, London, UK, for their speedy replies!
Merriam-Webster
US · May 15, 2026 1:01pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 15, 2026 1:01pm

Putting up double digits

Happy Friday! As you look to maximize your Blossom score today, keep an eye out for a four-letter word and a six-letter word that each refer to a digit. Of course, since these words are on the small side, you probably shouldn’t include them as part of your daily dozen. If you want to share your digits, respond to this email and let us know!
Merriam-Webster
US · May 14, 2026 1:02pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 14, 2026 1:02pm

This week's hidden theme: signed, sealed, and delivered

Happy Thursday! If you weren't able to figure out yesterday's hidden Tightrope theme, don’t you worry ’bout a thing—we've got you covered. We'd like to wish a very special (and now belated) "Happy Birthday" to Stevie Wonder, who turned 76 yesterday. We tried to include as many of Stevie's hits as possible, from questions about ebony and ivory to superstitious salt spilling. While Mr. Wonder never directly sang about Leadville, Colorado, since it is the U.S. city with the highest elevation, most would consider it "Higher Ground." (Isn't it lovely?) Thanks to everyone who wrote in! You are our sunshine! And special shout-outs to the following master blasters for their speedy replies: Lisa Owens in Thunder Bay, Ontario; Jaime Jean in Mexico City, Mexico; and Sue G. in Isle of Wight, UK.
Merriam-Webster
US · May 13, 2026 7:06pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 13, 2026 7:06pm

What does Keep it a Buck mean?

Chat, Bruzz, Thoak & More
Merriam-Webster
US · May 13, 2026 1:01pm

Merriam-Webster
US · May 13, 2026 1:01pm

Unravel the mystery

Happy Wednesday! Many people begin to feel a bit frazzled around the midpoint of the workweek. Instead of becoming unraveled yourself, try unraveling the hidden theme woven throughout the questions and answers in today's Tightrope! Remember, it is based on something that happened on this day in history. If you think you've cracked the case, respond to this email and let us know!

Merriam-Webster

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