The news, decoded.
REBUS: from the Latin non verbis sed rebus… not by words, but by things.
A rebus puzzle encodes a word or phrase using pictures, symbols, and visual tricks instead of letters. Rebusly takes this ancient format and applies it to today's news — a new hand-made visual puzzle every morning, free in your browser.
Play Today's RebuslyA rebus is a puzzle where the answer is hidden in how words, letters, and images are arranged — not what they literally say. The word comes from the Latin non verbis sed rebus, meaning "not by words, but by things." A word falling out of a frame means FALLING OUT. Letters that grow from small to large mean RISING. A word crossed through means CEASE + the word. The visual IS the clue.
Rebus puzzles have existed for centuries — on medieval manuscripts, pub signs, coat of arms. Rebusly brings the format online as a free daily browser game, with each puzzle encoding a phrase from today's real news headlines.
Unlike static rebus collections, Rebusly uses a wide range of visual mechanics. Each puzzle is hand-authored to match its headline.
A word with a strikethrough — the visual opposite removes or negates the word.
Letters grow progressively larger, encoding growth, rise, or escalation.
One word nested inside another — hidden within, embedded, contained.
Two words facing off — conflict, rivalry, two sides of the same story.
Symbols and icons combined with a plus sign — read the names to build the phrase.
Outline echoes trail behind a word, suggesting movement, departure, or speed.
Each puzzle uses one or more encoding techniques to hide a phrase in plain sight.
Type your answer. Three progressive hints help if you're stuck: topic, mechanic, then first letters.
Every answer is a real headline. Solving unlocks four curated articles covering the story.
Look at how the words and images are arranged, not just what they say. A word inside a box might mean "boxed in." A word getting smaller might mean "shrinking" or "declining." The position, size, direction, and visual treatment ARE the clue.
They vary. Some click instantly — you see the visual trick and the answer appears. Others take time. Rebusly includes three progressive hints for every puzzle, so you can always get unstuck without giving up entirely.
Yes. Rebusly is completely free — no account, no ads, no paywall. A new puzzle goes live every morning at 8:15 AM Eastern. You can also play any past puzzle from the archive.
Every Rebusly puzzle reveals its answer once you solve it — or after you've exhausted three hints. The answer isn't just a word: it's a real news phrase, and the reveal unlocks four curated articles explaining the full story behind it.
New puzzle every morning. Free in your browser. No download required.
Play Now