What is Guess the News?
Guess the News presents a real headline from a daily newspaper with one word removed. You see the date above the headline and the source outlet credited below, so you know which publication's style you are matching. You type your answer into a single input box, submit it, and can request hints or reveal the answer if needed. The site focuses on unusual stories rather than front-page news.
How to play Guess the News
- Read the headline with its blank space and note the publication credited underneath.
- Type your word into the input box and hit Submit.
- Tap "Want a hint?" to receive clues one at a time when you are stuck.
- Hit Reveal if you prefer to see the answer rather than continue guessing.
Why the puzzle works
Headlines pack meaning into very few words, so removing one shows how much each word carries. The puzzle tests vocabulary and familiarity with newspaper language: several options may make sense, but only one sounds like something a copy editor would use. Source matters too, since tabloids and broadsheets often describe the same event differently. The hints give the word’s length and syllable count before revealing a letter.
Reading the feedback
Hints arrive in a fixed order and accumulate in a list rather than replacing each other. You receive the word length first, then the syllable count, then the first letter. This sequence deliberately starts with the least useful information, so taking all three hints effectively converts the puzzle into a crossword clue. The game does not mark attempts as right or wrong until you either guess correctly or reveal the answer.
Modes
Today's headline – One puzzle per day, dated and refreshed at midnight Eastern US time according to the site.
Tips and strategy
- Read the entire headline, including the words after the blank. Context from both sides narrows the field.
- The credited outlet is a real constraint. A word that fits grammatically but not the publication's register is usually wrong.
- Request hints in order rather than jumping to Reveal. They remain visible as a list, so earlier hints stay on screen when you ask for the next.
- Compare candidate words against the outlet's typical vocabulary. Broadsheets and tabloids describing the same event will choose different verbs and nouns.
Popular questions
Are these real headlines?
Yes. Each puzzle is dated and credits the outlet it came from. The site states it uses actual published headlines.
What do the hints give me?
Word length first, then syllable count, then the first letter. They appear one at a time and stack in a list that stays visible.
Can I play past puzzles?
A Puzzle archive link appears in the footer alongside the About page and a newsletter signup that delivers the daily puzzle by email.