Word ladder answers for February 16, 2026
The daily ladder for Monday, February 16, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was GYMS to NETS, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was PRIED to BALKERS, 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: GYMS to NETS
Show the solution
- Y becomes E
- M becomes T
- G becomes N
Words in this ladder
- GYMS noun
- athletic facility equipped for sports or physical training
- GEMS noun
- art highly prized for its beauty or perfection
- GETS noun
- a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
- NETS noun
- a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
Puzzle 2: LOG to JET
Show the solution
- G becomes T
- O becomes E
- L becomes J
Words in this ladder
- LOG noun
- a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
- LOT noun
- (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
- LET noun
- a brutal terrorist group active in Kashmir; fights against India with the goal of restoring Islamic rule of India
- JET noun
- an airplane powered by one or more jet engines
Puzzle 3: DOCKS to PANEL
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- D becomes P
- O becomes A
- K becomes E
- C becomes N
- S becomes L
Words in this ladder
- DOCKS noun
- an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial
- POCKS noun
- a pustule in an eruptive disease
- PACKS noun
- a large indefinite number
- PACES noun
- the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
- PANES noun
- sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors
- PANEL noun
- sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something
Puzzle 4: CAST to BEAR
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- C becomes B
- A becomes E
- S becomes A
- T becomes R
Words in this ladder
- CAST noun
- the actors in a play
- BAST noun
- strong woody fibers obtained especially from the phloem of from various plants
- BEST noun
- the supreme effort one can make
- BEAT noun
- a regular route for a sentry or policeman
- BEAR noun
- massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
Puzzle 5: PRIED to BALKERS
Show the solution
- D becomes S
- add A
- I becomes S
- add R
- S becomes K
- P becomes B
- R becomes L
Words in this ladder
- PRIED verb
- to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open; :
- PRIES noun
- a heavy iron lever with one end forged into a wedge
- PARIES noun
- (anatomy) a layer (a lining or membrane) that encloses a structure
- PARSES noun
- (golf) the standard number of strokes set for each hole on a golf course, or for the entire course
- PARSERS noun
- a computer program that divides code up into functional components
- PARKERS noun
- United States saxophonist and leader of the bop style of jazz (1920-1955)
- BARKERS noun
- someone who stands in front of a show (as at a carnival) and gives a loud colorful sales talk to potential customers
- BALKERS noun
- a person who refuses to comply
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