It's been a few days since The New York Times officially took over the viral word-finding game Wordle, and on top of the general distaste the sale has left in the mouths of some players, many also now suspect the game has gotten noticeably harder.

NYT: No, we did not make Wordle harder. We promise.

Also NYT: Today’s Wordle is KHYBX -- which everyone knows is a popular 11th century Latin delicacy derived from quicksand extract. Duh.

— John Kapetaneas (@JohnKapetaneas) February 14, 2022

The suspicion seems to have been driven by some off-beat Wordle solutions since the game migrated to the Times, like "CYNIC" and "AROMA." In the eyes of memers, however, these solutions may as well be Greek.

Original Wordle:
MARRY
TIGER
CIVIL

Creator: Isn’t it fun to play this lovely game I made for the woman I love?

NYT Wordle:
PROOM
CEWYN
OOLEI

New owners: What, do you not know Welsh or read James Joyce? Hm, too bad.

— Courtney Ellis 🎈 (@courtneyellis) February 16, 2022

NYT Wordle list: pic.twitter.com/on6KHFHfVk

— Autry De Bluford (@AuDeBlu) February 16, 2022

the NYT Wordle team every day: pic.twitter.com/opOSrSCltI

— lady of leisure (@lyxopk) February 16, 2022

Playing the independent version of Wordle vs. NYT Wordle pic.twitter.com/WWVi5g8SYH

— Kushaan (@kushaanshah) February 14, 2022

Others have taken the backlash in stride, noting that the Times Wordle isn't all that harder than the UK version, with many claiming it isn't harder at all. The original incarnation of Wordle from its creator, Josh Wardle, could be very challenging and sometimes used words that are more common in Wardle's home country, the UK. Many remembered one particularly scarring Wordle day when the solution was "Knoll."

I see everyone who is complaining about NYT Wordle has already forgotten about KNOLL.

— Justin A. Rick (@JustinRickEsq) February 15, 2022

Original Wordle: C H A I R

People: fun, I got it!

NYT Wordle: C L O C K

People: what the fuck is a "clock"??

— Reuven Perlman (@ReuvenPerlman) February 15, 2022

NYT Wordle: C R A V E

People: is this in another language now??

— Reuven Perlman (@ReuvenPerlman) February 15, 2022

@ NYT wordle complaints pic.twitter.com/bY0JY14c1i

— prequel stanning (@whoosiewhatsit) February 15, 2022

For its part, the New York Times has denied allegations that they intentionally made Wordle more difficult among the recent trend.

In this humble Wordle player's opinion, the game doesn't feel at all different now that the New York Times has taken control of it. Still, it appears that contrary to a nagging suspicion from when the New York Times takeover was first announced, the viral game will continue to be at the center of online discourse for the foreseeable future.