Word Labyrinth

Word ladder answers for March 17, 2026

The daily ladder for Tuesday, March 17, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was HOT to DOPE, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was RANGED to HAWSERS, which needs at least 6.

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: HOT to DOPE

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. T becomes E
  3. add P
  4. H becomes D

Words in this ladder

HOT adjective
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
HOE noun
a tool with a flat blade attached at right angles to a long handle
HOPE noun
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
DOPE noun
street names for marijuana

Puzzle 2: GAG to GRASP

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

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

Words in this ladder

GAG noun
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
GAP noun
a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
GASP noun
a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
GRASP noun
understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something

Puzzle 3: EEL to SOOT

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  2. E becomes G
  3. L becomes T
  4. G becomes S
  5. E becomes O
  6. add O

Words in this ladder

EEL noun
the fatty flesh of eel; an elongate fish found in fresh water in Europe and America; large eels are usually smoked or pickled
GEL noun
a colloid in a more solid form than a sol
GET noun
a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
SET noun
a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
SOT noun
a chronic drinker
SOOT noun
a black colloidal substance consisting wholly or principally of amorphous carbon and used to make pigments and ink

Puzzle 4: RUST to BOSK

Medium Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. R becomes B
  3. T becomes K
  4. U becomes O

Words in this ladder

RUST noun
a red or brown oxide coating on iron or steel caused by the action of oxygen and moisture
BUST noun
a complete failure
BUSK verb
play music in a public place and solicit money for it
BOSK noun
a small wooded area

Puzzle 5: RANGED to HAWSERS

Hard Shortest solution: 6 steps

Show the solution
  2. D becomes S
  3. add R
  4. R becomes H
  5. G becomes K
  6. N becomes W
  7. K becomes S

Words in this ladder

RANGED verb
change or be different within limits
RANGES noun
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control:
RANGERS noun
a member of the Texas state highway patrol; formerly a mounted lawman who maintained order on the frontier
HANGERS noun
a worker who hangs something
HANKERS verb
desire strongly or persistently
HAWKERS noun
someone who travels about selling his wares (as on the streets or at carnivals)
HAWSERS noun
large heavy rope for nautical use

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