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Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you have a strong arm.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 23, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 23, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To throw.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter C appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

CHUCK

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

TL;DR: Lock in major savings on a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows, now just $29.97 (reg. $219.99) until May 31.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $29.97
$219.99 Save $190.02   Get Deal

Summer is almost here, which means longer days and even shorter attention spans. If you’re looking for tools to help you get things done despite all the distractions, this lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows gives you not just one, but eight.

Right now, you can secure this license for just $29.97 — less than $4 an app — until May 31.

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If you’ve been living without Microsoft Office, now is the perfect time to reintroduce yourself to these staples. This Microsoft Office Professional 2021 license equips your PC with eight powerful apps to help you get things done — with no subscription fees required.

This license includes both the old staples and new favorites. You’ll have Word for document creation, Excel for spreadsheet creation, PowerPoint for presentations, and Outlook for email management.

OneNote is included to help you upgrade your note-taking. There’s also Teams for staying connected, Publisher for designing professional documents, and Access for managing large databases.

You can download these apps right to your computer, so you don’t have to worry about cloud connectivity. You can also work offline in peace as needed.

Don’t be worried about the year of this edition — all the apps have been redesigned. A ribbon-based user interface even makes it easier to access features, tools, and customizations.

Make sure your device is running Windows 10 or 11 before purchasing.

Score major savings on this lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows, now only $29.97 through May 31.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

There are few sites that bring together more horny adults than AdultFriendFinder. The site is so kinky, so permissive of nudity, and so kink-friendly that it refuses to create an app for the Apple App Store, because that would force it to tone down its wild side to conform with Apple's app regulations. 

But with a major data breach in its past and a growing culture of online scams and sexploitation plaguing the internet, it's worth asking: is it safe to share nudes on AdultFriendFinder? And how does it compare to alternative sexting platforms like Snapchat and Confide? 

We took an honest look at AdultFriendFinder's pros and cons as a platform for exchanging nudes. Here's what you need to know:

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Is AdultFriendFinder a safe site for exchanging nudes?Verified memberships help

While it's true that anyone can create an account on AdultFriendFinder in mere minutes, there is an added layer of security that helps build trust between strangers: profile verification. AFF uses a service called ConfirmID, which grants those who pass the process a verification checkmark, helping alert others that they are who they say they are.

To proceed, you'll need to upload a piece of government-issued identification (think a driver's license, passport or healthcare card) and then undergo a face scan using your webcam to confirm that you are the person in the ID card.

Where are the disappearing messages?

From Snapchat to the late, great Confide, disappearing messages (messages that self-delete after a set amount of time, not only from the chat logs but from the servers) have become a privacy staple. Unfortunately, AFF doesn't offer them, even as an optional feature.

That isn't entirely a bad thing, since the entire site is structured around helping you make connections or meet like-minded people, even if only virtually, and it's nice to have a record of your conversations to come back to, especially if you happen to be talking to multiple people (and trust us, you will be talking to multiple people). 

Private photo albums

One way AdultFriendFinder provides enhanced privacy features is through a tiered security system. Your public-facing profile is mostly hidden from non-paying members, for example, so even a bad actor will still have to pay the site money to be able to read your list of kinks or click through your profile photos. But there's another privacy layer AFF leverages: private photo albums.

The default photo album every account begins with is the "Profile Photos" album, but once you've populated that, you can opt to create a new album entirely, this time with distinct privacy settings. Your options include Everyone (another public-facing album), Friends (visible only to people who are your mutual friends on the site), and Only Me (self-explanatory). 

SEE ALSO: AdultFriendFinder vs. Tinder: Which subscription tier is right for you?

If you want to restrict access to your more naughty photos to only people you know or trust, take advantage of the Friends privacy setting and be very selective about who you share your albums with. 

Screenshot protection is lacking

One definite con of using AdultFriendFinder to exchange nudes is that there is no way to control what the other person does with them once you've sent or uploaded one. The site has no screenshot protection or blocking software; in fact, it's trivially easy to save photos from profiles or private albums. 

On the one hand, this creates privacy concerns, but on the other hand, it also forces users to be more selective about what they show and under what conditions. There's lots of nudity in profile photos and albums, for example, but it's almost always anonymous, collar-bone down stuff, and when you do come across someone on the site showing off their nudes and their face, the odds are good they're a professional webcam model. 

The final verdict

First, we have to acknowledge an important truth about the nature of the internet: there is no such thing as 100% safety. You can take every precaution you like, use only the safest and most trusted sites, but the simple fact remains that if you send a nude photo of yourself, you are taking a risk. There are software workarounds for screenshot shields and even the toughest, most up-to-date cybersecurity has a vulnerability that will, eventually, be exposed.

In other words, the safest way to protect yourself is not to send nudes at all, and the next safest option is to omit your face or any identifiable marks (tattoos, birthmarks) from your photos. 

However, if you are committed to taking the risk, and especially if taking the risk is part of the fun, AdultFriendFinder offers a reasonably safe platform for you to exchange nudes with a stranger, especially if you commit yourself to following a few simple rules.

• Only interact with other verified accounts. AdultFriendFinder's ConfirmID system isn't 100% foolproof, but it adds an extra layer of security that will deter 99% of casual scammers.

• Never send nudes with your face in them. There's nothing wrong with focusing on a body part, or framing the shot in such a way that nobody can see or recognize your face, and doing so gives you plausible deniability in the event that your nudes are leaked. 

• Keep identifying information off your profile. Don't tell people where you went to school or when you graduated; don't mention your place of employment or your favorite local restaurant or bowling alley. AdultFriendFinder affords its users more anonymity than regular dating sites, so take advantage of that fact. 

TL;DR: Live stream Mexico vs. Ghana in a 2026 International Friendly for free on Canal 5 Televisa. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 World Cup is fast approaching.

This is the last chance for competing sides to sharpen up ahead of the main event, so fans can look forward to a string of high-profile friendlies over the next couple of weeks. That includes Mexico vs. Ghana, a tough game to call involving the World Cup co-hosts and a team with aspirations of making it through to the knockout rounds. This is going to be a valuable insight into what we can expect in a few weeks time.

If you want to watch Mexico vs. Ghana in a 2026 International Friendly for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Mexico vs. Ghana?

Mexico vs. Ghana kicks off at 10 p.m. ET on May 22. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc.

How to watch Mexico vs. Ghana for free

Mexico vs. Ghana is available to live stream for free on Canal 5 Televisa.

Canal 5 Televisa is geo-restricted to Mexico, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Mexico, meaning you can access free live streams on Canal 5 Televisa from anywhere in the world.

Lve stream Mexico vs. Ghana for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Mexico

4. Visit Canal 5 Televisa

5. Stream Mexico vs. Ghana for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Mexico vs. Ghana without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select games before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Canal 5 Televisa?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Canal 5 Televisa, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Mexico

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Mexico vs. Ghana for free with ExpressVPN.

When it comes to hookup sites and apps, reputation is everything. A company can buy all the advertising it wants, but if it doesn't deliver the goods, then word of mouth alone can spell the end for it. 

In the dating app world, lots of contenders have come and gone. Just a handful have stood the test of time, and those that have survived have done so because the word got out that they work. In other words, they deliver on the promise of a hookup and possibly a little more. 

If you're new to the world of online dating, or don't know which app to trust, here's a rundown of five hookup platforms that are extremely popular among their own users, along with a quick guide on what makes them so special:

Tinder

Tinder is obviously super popular. With some 75 million monthly users across 190 countries, Tinder is still the go-to app for swiping your way to a fun connection.

It's also well worth a premium subscription, since that unlocks unlimited likes, profile boosting, and the ability to swipe through singles across the world, which makes planning your future vacation or spring break fling that much easier.

SEE ALSO: Adult Friend Finder vs. Tinder: How they compare as hookup apps

And if you're one of the many people complaining that Tinder isn't working for you, do us all a favor: Spend some time and energy taking quality photos of yourself, in good lighting, rather than mirror selfies or grainy, low-res photos pulled from Facebook. That goes a long way to making Tinder "work" again. 

Grindr

The largest gay dating app in the world continues to improve, having recently achieved the milestone of 15 million active users. If you're in the LGBTQ community and looking for some short-term fun, Grindr should be your first foray into the world of app-based hookups.

Standout features for fun-seekers include a grid-based location system, which shows you exactly how far or close your potential hookup is, as well as the ability to drop a geo-tagged pin in the chat, sharing your location with your would-be fling. We're also a big fan of the Taps feature, which enables some suggestive, non-verbal flirting and makes breaking the ice easier than ever.

AdultFriendFinder

AFF has been around forever — 30 years to be precise — and there's power in longevity. It's arguably the horniest hookup site with mainstream appeal — all you have to do is spend a few minutes browsing the homepage, replete with naked photos and live webcam shows, to understand what we mean. 

Sure, it isn't perfect. You have to wade through a lot of inactive or fake profiles, for example, and some of the best features are locked behind a paywall, but if you spend some time exploring the site's free public areas, from the webcam shows to the discussion boards, you'll quickly see why it's endured for three decades.

SEE ALSO: 3 AdultFriendFinder features exclusive to paid users

As of 2026, it boasts about two million weekly active users, most of whom fall into the 30-38 age category, so if you're feeling a bit too old for Tinder but too young for SilverSingles — or you're just very horny right now — give AFF a try. 

Pure

If you haven't heard of Pure, you're not alone: The app is a darling of the younger crowd, having recently become the most-used app among Gen Z, and it's easily the most unconventional app on this list. 

Designed specifically for hookups, Pure features enhanced safety features, including both age and photo verification, as well as something they call Safety Signal, a feature that enables users to share the place and time of their meetup with a trusted third party, helping everyone involved feel more secure.  

When it comes to matchmaking, Pure users get three photos and a 350-word bio, as well as a dedicated Turn-Ons section, where you can list your kinks, including everything from types of communication to wax play. And if you really want to take a gamble on a fun time, you can test your luck with their Devil's Bones feature, which randomly connects you with another Pure user in a voice chat. 

Feeld

Feeld is beloved by its users for offering a safe space for queer, polyamorous, and kink-based dating and hookups. It's been around for over a decade, having been established in 2014, but it's undergone explosive growth in the last few years, as more people discover its charms every day. 

If you're looking for a nonjudgmental space to explore your kinks, and perhaps especially if you and a significant other are testing out ethical non-monogamy and want to find partners with similar interests, Feeld should be at the top of your list. Its Constellation feature, for example, links your profile with up to five other member profiles, allowing people to see your profile when they search for couples or groups.

And while Feeld does employ a carousel-style swiping system, the left and right swipes don't automatically like or dislike a profile. In fact, unless you actively hit the like or dislike button, the same profiles will continue to show up in your search, encouraging you to spend more than a few seconds evaluating prospective matches. It's a refreshing change from the usual mechanism that can lead to swipe fatigue.

As far as the many, many Tesla product recalls go, this is one of the more innocuous ones.

Reuters reported that the U.S. ​National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a recall for 14,575 Tesla Model Y SUVs in the country due to the lack of proper signage on the vehicles. Specifically, there is supposed to be a sticker labeling how much weight a Model Y can safely carry, but the SUVs somehow made it to the streets without one. Tesla will take back the recalled Model Y vehicles and install those weight certification labels, per Reuters.

SEE ALSO: Someone drove a Tesla Cybertruck into a lake to test 'Wade Mode.' It didn't end well.

The justification here, obviously, is that people could potentially load up their Model Ys with too much stuff, leading to accidents. It should be noted, however, that there were no reported incidents directly attributable to the stickers' absence before this recall. It seems to have been merely a precautionary measure.

Tesla has been the subject of several product recalls several times in the past. Earlier this month, the NHTSA recalled more than 200,000 Tesla vehicles due to a glitch with their rearview cameras. A separate recall, also this month, affected Cybertrucks due to faulty construction with wheel rotors. Teslas have a bit of a reputation among gearheads for not always being the most tightly constructed vehicles, and stories like this probably don't help that reputation.

Every big iOS update from Apple inevitably phases out support for some older iPhone model. It sounds like the iPhone 11 might be next.

That's not 100 percent confirmed yet, but a leak from tech tipster Instant Digital on Weibo suggests it might be the case, according to 9to5mac. Instant Digital published a list of every iPhone model that will support iOS 27 when it launches later this year, and four models stood out for their absence:

• iPhone 11

• iPhone 11 Pro

• iPhone 11 Pro Max

• iPhone SE (second generation)

SEE ALSO: Apple TV to live broadcast MLS match shot entirely on iPhone 17 Pro

That means if you have any of those iPhones, you might not be able to keep current when iOS 27 launches, presumably alongside the iPhone 18. That doesn't mean your iPhone 11 will be totally useless or anything; Apple continues to support older OS revisions with minor security updates and whatnot. But if you want all the newest iOS features, you'll probably need a newer iPhone.

The good news is that Apple very recently launched the budget-minded iPhone 17e, which will stay current with software updates for years to come without breaking the bank. If you don't feel like upgrading to a flagship phone, that might be the way to go.

CNET’s Patrick Holland takes a closer look at Trump Mobile’s flagship phone during a live Q&A session. The discussion covers the device’s features, design, and overall experience while answering audience questions in real time.

Waymo's autonomous ride-share vehicles are becoming increasingly common across the United States, but they just became much less common in four southern U.S. cities.

Waymo has temporarily suspended service in Atlanta, San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas due to the risk of inclement weather, after at least one Waymo vehicle was spotted driving headfirst into a flooded street in Atlanta, according to TechCrunch. A photo of the incident circulated on social media, drawing attention to the issue that may have prompted the decision to suspend service as the company figures out how to fix it.

SEE ALSO: Can Waymo and Waze fix cities' potholes?

“Safety is Waymo’s top priority, both for our riders and everyone we share the road with. During a period of intense rain yesterday in Atlanta, an unoccupied Waymo vehicle encountered a flooded road and stopped,” Waymo said in a statement, per TechCrunch.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Waymo had actually issued a software update to its fleet (numbering nearly 4,000) last week to address this issue. Still, the photo of the vehicle rushing into flooded waters was taken after that. A local news report stated that the car had been stuck in the water for about an hour before being removed. Waymo is still working on a final fix to the problem, but until then, people in those four southern cities will need to find another way to get around that doesn't involve robot cars.

TL;DR: The 13-inch MacBook Air M5 is on sale for $949 in Amazon's Memorial Day sale. That's $150 off the list price and the record-low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple MacBook Air M5 (13-Inch $999 at Amazon
$1,099 Save $100   Get Deal

We're doing our best to keep tabs on all the new Memorial Day deals dropping this weekend. It's a tough ask, because there are a lot. Between the deals on TVs, power stations, mattresses, and everything in-between, we can barely keep up.

But what we can always make time for is a deal on the latest MacBook Air, especially when that deal drops the price down to a record low.

The 13-inch MacBook Air M5 is on sale for $949 in Amazon's Memorial Day sale. That's $150 off the list price and the record-low price for this popular model. We can't guarantee anything at this point, but we don't expect this price to stick around for long. With Prime Day fast approaching, we wouldn't be surprised to see Amazon bump the price up to $999 (or more).

The MacBook Air M5 is a super portable laptop that delivers power in abundance. In Mashable's review of this popular machine, Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Werth said the new MacBook Air "takes everything good about the MacBook Air and adds the faster M5 chip." Werth adds that it's "incredible" but wishes it was "$200 cheaper."

This is where a deal comes in handy. This Memorial Day discount brings it down to a level that's hard to ignore.

Pick up the MacBook Air M5 for its best-ever price at Amazon.

What's black and white and fun all over? Spider-Noir, a new superhero series led by Nicolas Cage.

The show has its roots in 2018's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, in which Cage voiced the Spider-Man variant known as Spider-Man Noir. Appearing in black and white and always accompanied by a rain-scented wind, Spider-Man Noir managed to steal scenes in a film already overflowing with goodness. A large part of that comes down to the casting of Cage, who commits wholeheartedly to Spider-Man Noir's over-the-top slangy dialogue. ("You gonna fight or you just bumping gums, you hard-boiled turtle-slapper?") That Cage's work is much-memed adds an extra layer of hilarity to the role, a wink to the audience that yes, the film got the Nicolas Cage to channel old-timey film detectives.

SEE ALSO: 2026 Summer TV preview: Every TV show you need to know about now

As much of a scene stealer as he is, Spider-Man Noir is only onscreen for about five and a half minutes of Into the Spider-Verse. With Spider-Noir, Cage gets to take this Spider-Man variant to new heights in a technically dazzling thrill ride. Sure, it's familiar — it's a Spider-Man story, and we've seen plenty of those! — but Spider-Noir manages to find a new lease on spidey life with its loving embrace of film noir.

What's Spider-Noir about? Nicolas Cage in "Spider-Noir." Credit: Prime

The superhero we meet in Spider-Noir is not the same one from Into the Spider-Verse. Cage plays Ben Reilly, a down-on-his-luck private investigator who once moonlighted as New York City's only hero, the Spider.

Like the Spider-Verse films, Spider-Noir knows we've seen enough Spider-Man origin stories to fill hundreds of comic books, so it wisely motors through the beats we're familiar with. In the first of the show's many stylish flairs, it overlays scenes from Ben's life on windows of a New York City skyscraper he's climbed, catching us up to speed on all things Spider. That includes him meeting, then losing, the love of his life, Ruby. Following her death, Ben hung up his mask and goggles for good.

SEE ALSO: 'The Boroughs' review: Stop what you're doing and watch retirees fight monsters in this fantastic sci-fi series

However, just because Ben's retired the Spider doesn't mean he won't wind up trapped in dangerous webs of others' making. And Spider-Noir presents a fascinating web indeed, one involving crime lord Silvermane (Brendan Gleeson), lounge singer Cat Hardy (Li Jun Li), and a rogue's gallery of superpowered men, including well-known Spider-Man villains like Flint Marko (Jack Huston), aka Sandman, and Lonnie Lincoln (Abraham Popoola), aka Tombstone.

Spider-Noir is a gorgeous love letter to film noir. Li Jun Li in "Spider-Noir." Credit: Prime

The way these threads converge isn't necessarily ground-breaking. Obviously, Ben will put on the mask and seek redemption, even if he doesn't think it's worth it. And obviously, the origins of these superpowered villains have ties to Ben's own genetic mutation. But the show's carefully calibrated style manages to make each familiar plot point feel like a new discovery.

Recent superhero shows have tried to set themselves apart by dabbling in genres beyond just "superhero." That's how you get gangster dramas like The Penguin, or a legal comedy like She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. But not since WandaVision has a show so thoroughly immersed itself in a different genre. Unlike WandaVision, Spider-Noir holds fast to its genre trappings throughout, and that steadfastness elevates it over every other superhero show's genre dabbling.

SEE ALSO: 'Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed' review: The power of Tatiana Maslany makes this thriller a must-watch

The visuals are the key here, starting with the show's unique presentation. Prime Video offers viewers the choice of watching in both black and white and color. While I recommend checking out the color version at least once to take in all the details on the show's costumes and set pieces, black and white is certainly the way to go here. Spider-Noir thrives in the contrast between light and dark, casting bold, inky shadows across city streets in pointed tribute to the film noir genre that inspired it. In a world where so many TV shows are underlit or visually flat, it's a joy to see a series take full advantage of lighting as a key way to build mood and atmosphere.

Elsewhere, Spider-Noir has a ball with stylistic staples of the film noir genre, from Dutch angles to a moody score, courtesy of Kris Bowers and Michael Dean Parsons. Don't think of Spider-Noir as being focused on style over substance, though. It's more style as substance, as the series engages seriously with film noir's thematic tropes. Ben is a classic world-weary antihero, while Li's enigmatic Cat falls squarely into the femme fatale archetype, going from crooner to double-crosser at the drop of a fedora.

Nicolas Cage was meant for Spider-Noir. Nicolas Cage in "Spider-Noir." Credit: Aaron Epstein / Prime

Film noir — and '30s-era films in general — are key to Spider-Noir because they're key to Ben as well. As he reveals to Cat, in the wake of his mutation, he was overcome with arachnid instincts. He had to go to the movies to relearn how to be human from the actors.

That gives Cage free reign to channel film noir's leading men, and he does it with gusto. In Ben's scenes with his closest confidants, like his secretary Janet (Karen Rodriguez) or his reporter friend Robbie (Lamorne Morris), he carries himself more naturally, with a tinge of grumpiness. Once he's out in the field, though, he dials up the hard-boiled detective to a solid 11. He slings quips like they're webs, alternating between charming and brooding his way out of danger.

Ben's bag of tricks also includes disguising himself. He poses as everything from a plumber to a doctor in his efforts to crack his case, and Cage embraces a new outlandish persona in each role. Viewers may be tempted to add these moments to their "Nicolas Cage losing his shit"-style compilations, but these moments, on top of being extra fun, do remain motivated by the needs of the show. Rarely does Spider-Noir unleash a Cage crash out for memes' sake. (Although the show does play up the meme-iness a little bit, like when Morris unleashes a surprisingly solid Cage impression in the perfect context.)

Cage's dedication to a role as strange as "film noir detective Spider-Man" especially shines through when Ben succumbs to his spider instincts. His physicality is both mesmerizing and bizarre, whether he's contorting himself in strange ways or just lying, twitching, on his bed. While his voice acting in Into the Spider-Verse is delightful, it's moments like this, where you see Cage embodying Ben's uncanny physical experience, that made me truly understand why this show exists.

Between Cage's performance and distinct styling, Spider-Noir proves that there's still ways to freshen up superhero shows. The key is just commitment.

All episodes of Spider-Noir premiere May 27 on Prime Video.

SAVE UP TO 40%: From May 22-25, take up to 40% off MasterClass courses and MasterClass Certificates in the Memorial Day sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: MasterClass MasterClass and MasterClass Certificates: Save up to 40%   Get Deal

For anyone who's looking to do a bit of life enrichment over the summer, MasterClass offers a great option. The platform is full of courses taught by industry pros that are sure to prove insightful. To celebrate Memorial Day, MasterClass has a great sale on tap.

Between May 22 and May 25, save up to 40% on MasterClass lessons and professional MasterClass Certificates.

From cooking courses to personal styling lessons, MasterClass has something everyone will find worthwhile. With lessons in science, technology, writing, music, health, and plenty more, the platform gives access to exceptional learning activities.

SEE ALSO: 40+ of the best Memorial Day deals — TVs, mattresses, headphones, and more on sale

MasterClass Certificates is designed to offer professional advancements through lessons that range from 15 to 20 hours. Taught by industry leaders, they're a great way to learn new in-demand skills that complement your career.

Whether you're looking to broaden your horizons or buy a class as a thoughtful graduation gift, jump on saving up to 40% off on MasterClass lessons this Memorial Day.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you always follow back up.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 22, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Circle back

• Green: That's how it is

• Blue: They go round and round

• Purple: Women's names

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Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Reach back out

• Green: The way things are done

• Blue: Places with conveyor belts

• Purple: Starting with name homophones

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1076 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Reach back out: CHECK IN, FOLLOW UP, RECONNECT, TOUCH BASE

• The way things are done: CONVENTION, CUSTOM, SOCIAL NORM, UNWRITTEN RULE

• Places with conveyor belts: ASSEMBLY LINE, BAGGAGE CLAIM, CHECKOUT LANE, REVOLVING SUSHI BAR

• Starting with name homophones: CARRY-ON, EL NIÑO, LOOSEY-GOOSEY, TAILOR-MADE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 22, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you go big or go home.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 22, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Put down your ruler

The words are related to size.

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Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe large things.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Its Big.

NYT Strands word list for May 22

• Boundless

• Epic

• Vast

• Immense

• Its Big

• Whopping

• Astronomic

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you don't like to venture out.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 22, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 22, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Regional.

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Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter L.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

VOCAL

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

Comedian Josh Johnson sits down with Mashable Executive Producer Mark Stetson on Say More to talk about his upcoming HBO original comedy special, Symphony.

Josh reveals the frantic 4-day stretch where he filmed his HBO special, wrote and performed a completely new stand-up set (The Afroman Trial Explained: Cops vs Hip Hop), and then hosted The Daily Show. He also explains his rapid-fire approach to releasing a new special every week on YouTube, why he believes great comedy needs to focus on universal "systems" rather than temporary topical jokes, and why he'll always consider himself a writer and an artist first.

Symphony premieres on HBO Max May 22nd at 8:00pm ET.

(This interview is part 1 of a two part interview. Part 2 releases Sunday, May 24th at 8am EST)

The Late Show has aired its final episode, with Stephen Colbert taking a final bow among family and friends. While we'll miss the late night host handing it to those in power nightly, one of the segments we'll miss most of all is "Meanwhile..." in which Colbert and his Late Show writers revel in outlandish wordplay to deliver the strange news you might have missed.

For his last "Meanwhile..." Colbert ignored the strange green glow and humming noises affecting the Late Show stage and plunged into the segment's signature verbose address — and it's ship-themed.

"If you watch this show, you know I've spent a lot of my time right over there in the news shipyard assembling the most topical story hull using the finest graphics, flawless camera work, direction, sound, and lighting, all powered by a 2000-horsepower marine diesel engine of jokes for the honour of helming the blissfully steady fly bridge yacht of comedy that is my nightly monologue," said Colbert.

"But sometimes, just sometimes, folks, while wrapping up 11 years of gags about Doritos-flavored liquor, three-penis cadavers, and cocaine sharks, I strip the copper wire out of our control board and strap my love of my staff and crew to my overturned desk and slap on some fans ripped out of our laser printers, then climb inside and putter away in the unsinkable gratitude dinghy of news that is my segment, 'Meanwhile...'"

But the best part of all? Colbert included the news that the owner of the music from Peanuts TV specials including "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is suing multiple companies and the U.S. Department of the Interior for using the copyrighted songs without permission. Cue Louis Cato and the Great Big Joy Machine (The Late Show band) noodling away with a song that sounds legally familiar.

"Oh no!" said Colbert. "I hope this doesn't cost CBS any money!" Heh.

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Elon Musk, who has effectively admitted cheating at video games, may have found the ultimate cheat code that will turn him into the first trillionaire in the global game of capitalism.

That may well be the story of the SpaceX IPO, for which the company filed its SEC-mandated S1 form Thursday. The document was stuffed with eye-poppingly dubious claims about SpaceX's future as an AI company, as well as eye-wateringly embarrassing admissions about SpaceX, its new subsidiary xAI, and Grok.

And yet, none of these pokes in the eye seem to stop SpaceX from eyeing a record $1.75 trillion valuation.

SEE ALSO: Why SpaceX bought xAI: Data centers in space aren't the only reason What's in the SpaceX IPO? SpaceX's Starship at Orbital Launch Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas, on May 21, 2026. Credit: Joe Marino / UPI / Shutterstock

To explain how bizarre the filing really is, and how deeply it might sink other offerings, let's first ignore the words Spacex xAI, Grok, Elon and Musk. Instead, just imagine you're telling your financial advisor you want shares in a new-to-market space launch company.

This company lost nearly $5 billion last year, on $18 billion of revenue. The revenue makes it look tiny, and its losses are increasing. But so is its revenue, so you have high hopes for its future.

OK, says your financial advisor, raising a quizzical eyebrow. A risky bet, but those can pay off big sometimes. What's the angle?

Well, you reply, the CEO is all in on AI. This space launch company is actually an AI company now, since it merged in a hurry earlier this year with one of the CEO's other companies, one he described as "the smallest" of the major AI players. The merger was a millstone, the cause of most of the combined company's losses.

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Still, AI's connection to the space launch business makes total sense. The CEO says he's going to launch AI data centers in space starting in 2028. And you totally believe that, despite this guy having a long history of making bold space-based predictions that don't come to pass.

Do space AI data centers even make sense? Who knows! "The conditions of space on such AI infrastructure have not been tested, by us or anyone else," notes the IPO. "Any component failures could result in permanent capacity loss" — since there are no IT guys up there to fix them.

But hey, what could make sensitive data center components fail in space? I mean, apart from the list in the company's S-1 filing: geomagnetic storms, solar flares, cosmic radiation, micrometeorites, orbital debris, as well as the vibration and thermal shock from launching them in the first place. Oh, and "the useful life of our satellites is inherently shorter than that of the information technology systems and infrastructure they host," the filing also says, but you're trying not to think about what that means in a data center business.

SEE ALSO: Why SpaceX bought xAI: Data centers in space aren't the only reason

Eh, regulatory filings can be such Debbie Downers! What matters is this guy really believes in his AI product, right? So much so that SpaceX's IPO claims a $26.5 trillion addressable AI market (compared to the space launch and Starlink connectivity market, for which it only claims a total potential of $2 trillion). That AI product, by the way, comes in "Unhinged Voice mode" and "Spicy Imagine mode." The IPO notes its "heightened risks" of "reputational harm," not to mention regulatory and legal harm, thanks to "potentially explicit content ... misinformation ... exploitative imagery, intellectual property infringement," or "harmful, harassing, abusive, or discriminatory" content.

What could possibly go wrong?

Well, apart from the international investigations that have opened up into whether this company's product was used to make nonconsensual deepfakes of minors, as the IPO is also required to note. (You can almost hear the deep sighs of the lawyers who wrote this — but at least they didn't have to mention the whole MechaHitler thing.)

Speaking of legal harm, you also have no problem with the $3 billion in new data center gas turbine purchases revealed by the IPO, even though this is doubling down on harm for which the company already faces a huge lawsuit from environmental groups. After all, this guy has a history of winning most of his legal battles! Just pay no attention to the last one, where he flouted a court order by skipping off to China, and a jury found he had no right to bring the case in the first place.

Given all that information in the abstract, many financial advisors would advise you the company isn't worth the risk — if they don't advise you to get your head checked.

The cheat code at Tesla Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg in Grünheide, Germany. Credit: Joko / imageBROKER / Shutterstock

In the case of SpaceX, however, your financial advisor may be rushing to invest before you do. The IPO sets 30 percent of shares aside for so-called "retail investors," an unusually high percentage; arguably they're more likely to bet on a name, a personality, a legend, than a company's fundamentals.

The reason, essentially, amounts to five words: "never bet against Elon Musk." First uttered by fellow Paypal billionaire and friend Peter Thiel, then SpaceX investor Peter Diamandis, this rallying cry has been taken up by the CEOs of Morgan Stanley and Breyer Capital. It is an article of faith — literally, in articles that use it to wave away Musk's more baffling moves, from the design of the Cybertruck to the overpriced Twitter purchase. (Which, given that Musk turned Twitter into the less popular X, then folded it into xAI, and then folded that into SpaceX, may go down as the most buried sunk cost in business history.)

SEE ALSO: 'Sales suck monkey d*ck': Elon Musk's Tesla in 10 telling quotes

Musk long ago mastered the razzle-dazzle of business showmanship. He has learned to dance on ever-higher tightropes of promised futures. At a crucial moment in the early days of Tesla, he offered preorders for the Model S when its prototype didn't even exist yet. That lesson has come in handy in Tesla's Cybertruck era, when the company has been saddled with an odd looking, low-selling EV that is becoming ever more of a joke with every wheels-could-fall-off recall and watery misdirection, dogged by cheaper Chinese rivals, and boycotted by much of Europe.

In response, Musk simply squeezed billions more out of the company for the honor of having him stay, then pivoted Tesla towards another, bigger promised future. That future — one filled with humanoid robots and robotaxis — is about as airy, as unproven, and as full of pitfalls (literally, the Optimus robots fall over) as AI data centers in space. But at this stage, Musk can simply insist it's going to happen, then sit back and dare Tesla investors to bet against him.

Featured Video For You AI slop is killing the internet

The Optimus robots, like the SpaceX data centers, "allow for near term demonstrations that look impressive but aren’t meaningfully revenue-generating, while allowing Musk to make long term projections of 'infinite' revenues that can be (nearly) infinitely postponed," noted Tim Farris, president of satellite and telecom industry research firm TMF Associates. The Rorschach test works for investors who want to believe in the "never bet against Musk" myth.

Never mind that "never bet against Musk" is far from literally true. In 2026, you can make money from short-selling (that is, betting against) Tesla stock, which is down just under 5 percent from where it was on Jan. 1. You could also have made a more than 30 percent return on the prediction markets in the past year, as one canny investor did, by predicting Musk's DOGE side quest would ultimately fail.

There are signs of cracks in Wall Street's wall of belief in Tesla. Last year was the company's first ever revenue decline on the books. Tesla investors are reportedly nervous that the SpaceX IPO is going to cost them — SpaceX, one major Tesla investor groused to Fortune, will become Musk's "new baby."

But Musk only has to dance ahead of the Tesla wave a little while longer. If all goes according to plan, and the AI bubble doesn't burst before he can bring his shiny new space AI baby to market next month, a Musk army of retail investors will help turn airy promises into a trillion dollars of net worth for their hero.

And then...we're boldly going where no economist has gone before. With access to that much capital and that much voting power — Musk will control 85 percent of the vote at SpaceX, making him virtually impossible to dislodge as CEO — there's no limit to the height of the tightrope he could dance on. It's not beyond the bounds of reason to imagine Musk folding a failing Tesla inside SpaceX, then dazzling investors by spinning ever more unproven plans for humanoid robots maintaining space data centers.

In the game of global capitalism, becoming a trillionaire may be the ultimate cheat code.

SAVE OVER $40: As of May 22, the Sonos Roam 2 has returned to its lowest-ever price of $134 at Amazon. This is $45 off its full price of $179.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Roam 2 $134 at Amazon
$179 Save $45   Get Deal

Sonos is featuring heavily in Memorial Day sales this year. One of our favorites deals is on the Sonos Roam 2 portable speaker, which has returned to its lowest-ever price at the retailer. If you've been searching for a solid waterproof speaker to join you at the beach or pool this summer, it's well worth checking out.

As of May 22, the Sonos Roam 2 (in both black and white) is on sale for $134 at Amazon. Compared to its full price of $179, this deal saves you $45 on this portable speaker.

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Offering great sound quality in a compact design — plus a durable build that's IP67 waterproof and dustproof — the Sonos Roam 2 is a portable speaker that's worth bringing along with you on excursions this summer. Its battery can even last up to 10 hours, providing you with plenty of listening time before it needs a recharge. On top of that, it even earned a place on our roundup of the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers as the smartest waterproof speaker.

Writer Alex Bracetti writes: "Not only does the Roam 2 connect to Bluetooth, so you can use it with a smartphone in any environment, but it can also automatically switch to WiFi and become part of your Sonos multiroom setup. Having it placed on your balcony or front porch lets you enjoy all interconnected perks, from app-based controls to voice assistance, which performs surprisingly well in loud settings."

The Sonos Roam 2 can help you keep the party going this summer. Don't miss out on this deal during Memorial Day sales.

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SAVE $70: As of May 22, the Ninja FrostVault is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon, its lowest-ever price at the retailer. This is $70 off its list price of $349.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja FrostVault $279.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $70   Get Deal

Summer is creeping up on us, and if you're looking forward to camping trips or outdoor hangouts this year, a cooler is well worth picking up to keep your favorite drinks fresh and cold. Thankfully, the 65qt Ninja FrostVault is currently on sale at Amazon during Memorial Day sales, so now is a great time to buy.

The 65qt Ninja FrostVault has dropped to $279.99 at Amazon. This is a solid $70 in savings, and it marks the lowest-ever price for this cooler at the retailer. It may not last for long beyond Memorial Day, so if it has caught your eye, this is the time to grab it.

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No matter what outdoor adventures you have planned for this summer, this Ninja FrostVault has plenty of space for drinks and food. It boasts a 65-quart capacity that can hold up to 97 cans without ice, or 54 cans if you want them kept cool with ice. It even has an extra container for snacks and food called the Dry Zone at the base, which is helpful so your food doesn't get crushed by cans or made soggy by ice in the upper compartment.

It also has a durable build, which is good news for campers or rugged adventurers. Its all-terrain wheels are ultra durable, puncture resistant, and capable of withstanding any kind of weather, and its handle makes moving it around feel nice and easy.

If the 65qt Ninja FrostVault is a must for your summertime plans — act fast to save at Amazon.

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