Word ladder answers for April 26, 2026

The daily ladder for Sunday, April 26, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was PEONS to WEEKS, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was BURL to BEWARES, 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: PEONS to WEEKS

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps · Solved by 1 player

Show the solution
  1. O becomes E
  2. N becomes K
  3. P becomes W

Words in this ladder

PEONS noun
a laborer who is obliged to do menial work
PEENS noun
the part of a hammerhead opposite the flat striking surface (may have various shapes)
PEEKS noun
a secret look
WEEKS noun
any period of seven consecutive days

Puzzle 2: RYES to BEEFS

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps · Solved by 1 player

Show the solution
  1. R becomes B
  2. Y becomes E
  3. add F

Words in this ladder

RYES noun
the seed of the cereal grass
BYES noun
you advance to the next round in a tournament without playing an opponent
BEES noun
any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species
BEEFS noun
cattle that are reared for their meat

Puzzle 3: CHITS to TWINGE

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps · Solved by 1 player

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  1. T becomes N
  2. C becomes T
  3. H becomes W
  4. S becomes E
  5. add G

Words in this ladder

CHITS noun
a dismissive term for a girl who is immature or who lacks respect
CHINS noun
the protruding part of the lower jaw
THINS verb
lose thickness; become thin or thinner
TWINS noun
(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other
TWINE noun
a lightweight cord
TWINGE noun
a sudden sharp feeling

Puzzle 4: HALO to CARET

Medium Shortest solution: 4 steps

Show the solution
  1. O becomes T
  2. L becomes R
  3. H becomes C
  4. add E

Words in this ladder

HALO noun
an indication of radiant light drawn around the head of a saint
HALT noun
the state of inactivity following an interruption
HART noun
United States playwright who collaborated with George S. Kaufman (1904-1961)
CART noun
a heavy open wagon usually having two wheels and drawn by an animal
CARET noun
a mark used by an author or editor to indicate where something is to be inserted into a text

Puzzle 5: BURL to BEWARES

Hard Shortest solution: 7 steps

Show the solution
  1. L becomes N
  2. U becomes A
  3. N becomes D
  4. add E
  5. add E
  6. add W
  7. D becomes S

Words in this ladder

BURL noun
the wood cut from a tree burl or outgrowth; often used decoratively in veneer
BURN noun
pain that feels hot as if it were on fire
BARN noun
an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals
BARD noun
a lyric poet
BEARD noun
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
BEARED verb
have
BEWARED verb
be on one's guard; be cautious or wary about; be alert to
BEWARES verb
be on one's guard; be cautious or wary about; be alert to

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