Word Labyrinth

Word ladder answers for February 14, 2026

The daily ladder for Saturday, February 14, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was BADS to SCUDS, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was HOD to TILDEN, which needs at least 7.

Each solution below is hidden until you open it, so you can try the puzzle first. A shortest solution is shown for every puzzle; many ladders have more than one path of the same length, so yours may differ and still be optimal.

Puzzle 1: BADS to SCUDS

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. A becomes U
  3. B becomes C
  4. add S

Words in this ladder

BADS noun
that which is below standard or expectations as of ethics or decency
BUDS noun
a partially opened flower
CUDS noun
food of a ruminant regurgitated to be chewed again
SCUDS noun
the act of moving along swiftly (as before a gale)

Puzzle 2: MATE to BLAZE

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. T becomes Z
  3. M becomes L
  4. add B

Words in this ladder

MATE noun
the officer below the master on a commercial ship
MAZE noun
complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
LAZE verb
be idle; exist in a changeless situation
BLAZE noun
a strong flame that burns brightly

Puzzle 3: MAYS to BEMAS

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  2. M becomes B
  3. Y becomes T
  4. A becomes E
  5. add A
  6. T becomes M

Words in this ladder

MAYS noun
United States baseball player (born in 1931)
BAYS noun
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
BATS noun
nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate
BETS noun
the money risked on a gamble
BETAS noun
the 2nd letter of the Greek alphabet
BEMAS noun
area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often enclosed by a lattice or railing

Puzzle 4: BAT to CHORE

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  2. B becomes C
  3. add R
  4. T becomes E
  5. A becomes O
  6. add H

Words in this ladder

BAT noun
nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate
CAT noun
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
CART noun
a heavy open wagon usually having two wheels and drawn by an animal
CARE noun
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
CORE noun
a small group of indispensable persons or things
CHORE noun
a specific piece of work required to be done as a duty or for a specific fee

Puzzle 5: HOD to TILDEN

Hard Shortest solution: 7 steps

Show the solution
  2. H becomes T
  3. add E
  4. O becomes I
  5. D becomes S
  6. add D
  7. add L
  8. S becomes N

Words in this ladder

HOD noun
an open box attached to a long pole handle; bricks or mortar are carried on the shoulder
TOD noun
a unit of weight for wool equal to about 28 pounds
TOED verb
walk so that the toes assume an indicated position or direction
TIED verb
fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord
TIES noun
neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
TIDES noun
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
TILDES noun
a diacritical mark (~) placed over the letter n in Spanish to indicate a palatal nasal sound or over a vowel in Portuguese to indicate nasalization
TILDEN noun
United States tennis player who dominated men's tennis in the 1920s (1893-1953)

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