Word Labyrinth

Word ladder answers for March 25, 2026

The daily ladder for Wednesday, March 25, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was TIES to HOPES, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was BOYS to GILD, which needs at least 5.

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: TIES to HOPES

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. I becomes O
  3. T becomes H
  4. add P

Words in this ladder

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
TOES noun
one of the digits of the foot
HOES noun
a tool with a flat blade attached at right angles to a long handle
HOPES noun
a specific instance of feeling hopeful

Puzzle 2: TOTES to MIKES

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

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  2. T becomes M
  3. O becomes I
  4. T becomes K

Words in this ladder

TOTES noun
a capacious bag or basket
MOTES noun
(nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
MITES noun
a slight but appreciable amount
MIKES noun
device for converting sound waves into electrical energy

Puzzle 3: BOYS to GILD

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  2. Y becomes O
  3. B becomes G
  4. S becomes D
  5. O becomes L
  6. O becomes I

Words in this ladder

BOYS noun
a youthful male person
BOOS noun
a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt
GOOS noun
any thick, viscous matter
GOOD noun
benefit
GOLD noun
coins made of gold
GILD noun
a formal association of people with similar interests

Puzzle 4: BERK to FORD

Medium Shortest solution: 4 steps

Show the solution
  2. B becomes P
  3. E becomes O
  4. P becomes F
  5. K becomes D

Words in this ladder

BERK noun
a stupid person who is easy to take advantage of
PERK noun
an incidental benefit awarded for certain types of employment (especially if it is regarded as a right)
PORK noun
meat from a domestic hog or pig
FORK noun
cutlery used for serving and eating food
FORD noun
United States film maker (1896-1973)

Puzzle 5: KAKI to SEATS

Hard Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  2. K becomes S
  3. I becomes E
  4. K becomes T
  5. E becomes S
  6. add E

Words in this ladder

KAKI noun
small deciduous Asiatic tree bearing large red or orange edible astringent fruit
SAKI noun
British writer of short stories (1870-1916)
SAKE noun
a reason for wanting something done
SATE verb
fill to satisfaction
SATS noun
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
SEATS noun
an area that includes places where several people can sit

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