Word Labyrinth

Word ladder answers for February 25, 2026

The daily ladder for Wednesday, February 25, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was RIND to MAID, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was CYAN to BLAMES, 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: RIND to MAID

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. I becomes A
  3. N becomes I
  4. R becomes M

Words in this ladder

RIND noun
the natural outer covering of food (usually removed before eating)
RAND noun
the basic unit of money in South Africa; equal to 100 cents
RAID noun
a sudden short attack
MAID noun
a female domestic

Puzzle 2: PALS to GASES

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. add E
  3. P becomes G
  4. L becomes S

Words in this ladder

PALS noun
a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
PALES noun
a wooden strip forming part of a fence
GALES noun
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
GASES noun
the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity; relatively great expansion and contraction with changes in pressure and temperature; the ability to diffuse readily; and the spontaneous tendency to become distributed uniformly throughout any container

Puzzle 3: YAWP to LATH

Medium Shortest solution: 4 steps

Show the solution
  2. P becomes S
  3. Y becomes L
  4. W becomes T
  5. S becomes H

Words in this ladder

YAWP verb
make a raucous noise
YAWS noun
an infectious tropical disease resembling syphilis in its early stages; marked by red skin eruptions and ulcerating lesions
LAWS noun
the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit
LATS noun
the basic unit of money in Latvia
LATH noun
a narrow thin strip of wood used as backing for plaster or to make latticework

Puzzle 4: DEEM to STEALS

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  2. D becomes S
  3. M becomes S
  4. E becomes A
  5. add L
  6. add T

Words in this ladder

DEEM verb
keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
SEEM verb
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
SEES noun
the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
SEAS noun
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
SEALS noun
fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm; used for sealing documents and parcels and letters
STEALS noun
an advantageous purchase

Puzzle 5: CYAN to BLAMES

Hard Shortest solution: 7 steps

Show the solution
  2. Y becomes R
  3. C becomes B
  4. N becomes S
  5. add E
  6. add Z
  7. R becomes L
  8. Z becomes M

Words in this ladder

CYAN noun
a primary subtractive color for light; has a blue-green color
CRAN noun
a capacity unit used for measuring fresh herring
BRAN noun
broken husks of the seeds of cereal grains that are separated from the flour by sifting
BRAS noun
an undergarment worn by women to support their breasts
BRAES noun
a slope or hillside
BRAZES verb
solder together by using hard solder with a high melting point
BLAZES noun
a strong flame that burns brightly
BLAMES noun
an accusation that you are responsible for some lapse or misdeed

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