Word ladder answers for May 2, 2026

The daily ladder for Saturday, May 2, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was TIN to TORS, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was MAZE to TRUCK, 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: TIN to TORS

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  1. I becomes O
  2. add R
  3. N becomes S

Words in this ladder

TIN noun
a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
TON noun
a United States unit of weight equivalent to 2000 pounds
TORN verb
separate or cause to separate abruptly
TORS noun
a prominent rock or pile of rocks on a hill

Puzzle 2: MONK to PUNK

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  1. M becomes H
  2. O becomes U
  3. H becomes P

Words in this ladder

MONK noun
a male religious living in a cloister and devoting himself to contemplation and prayer and work
HONK noun
the cry of a goose (or any sound resembling this)
HUNK noun
a well-built sexually attractive man
PUNK noun
an aggressive and violent young criminal

Puzzle 3: HOD to LIFT

Medium Shortest solution: 4 steps

Show the solution
  1. D becomes T
  2. H becomes L
  3. add F
  4. O becomes I

Words in this ladder

HOD noun
an open box attached to a long pole handle; bricks or mortar are carried on the shoulder
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
LOT noun
(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
LOFT noun
floor consisting of a large unpartitioned space over a factory or warehouse or other commercial space
LIFT noun
the act of giving temporary assistance

Puzzle 4: MAZE to TRUCK

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  1. Z becomes C
  2. M becomes R
  3. E becomes K
  4. add T
  5. A becomes U

Words in this ladder

MAZE noun
complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
MACE noun
(trademark) a liquid that temporarily disables a person; prepared as an aerosol and sprayed in the face, it irritates the eyes and causes dizziness and immobilization
RACE noun
any competition
RACK noun
framework for holding objects
TRACK noun
a line or route along which something travels or moves
TRUCK noun
an automotive vehicle suitable for hauling

Puzzle 5: OGLED to PAGER

Hard Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  1. G becomes I
  2. O becomes P
  3. I becomes A
  4. L becomes G
  5. D becomes R

Words in this ladder

OGLED verb
look at with amorous intentions
OILED verb
cover with oil, as if by rubbing
PILED verb
arrange in stacks
PALED verb
turn pale, as if in fear
PAGED verb
contact, as with a pager or by calling somebody's name over a P.A. system
PAGER noun
an electronic device that generates a series of beeps when the person carrying it is being paged

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