Everyone is playing Wordle these days so obviously we need to analyze!
Warning: Don't look too carefully in words.json as this will spoil the answer to future puzzles.
Summary:
raise (worst case leads to 168 possible answers)
arise (worst case leads to 168 possible answers)
alone (worst case leads to 182 possible answers)
arose (worst case leads to 183 possible answers)
atone (worst case leads to 191 possible answers)
ratio (worst case leads to 192 possible answers)
irate (worst case leads to 194 possible answers)
alter (worst case leads to 196 possible answers)
alert (worst case leads to 196 possible answers)
aisle (worst case leads to 196 possible answers)
later (worst case leads to 196 possible answers)
teary (worst case leads to 198 possible answers)
leant (worst case leads to 208 possible answers)
renal (worst case leads to 212 possible answers)
learn (worst case leads to 212 possible answers)
What's the best first word? It's not necessarily about matching most possible words, but it's about eliminating possible answers. "fuzzy" is a terrible first word because in most cases you'll get five gray letters. In comparison, with "raise", regardless of what you'll get back, there will never be more than 168 possible answers.