Word Labyrinth

Word ladder answers for May 5, 2026

The daily ladder for Tuesday, May 5, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was REAR to SEAT, solvable in 2 steps, and the longest was TABS to SPASM, 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: BATS to TOADS

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. T becomes D
  3. B becomes T
  4. add O

Words in this ladder

BATS noun
nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate
BADS noun
that which is below standard or expectations as of ethics or decency
TADS noun
a slight amount or degree of difference
TOADS noun
any of various tailless stout-bodied amphibians with long hind limbs for leaping; semiaquatic and terrestrial species

Puzzle 2: REAR to SEAT

Easy Shortest solution: 2 steps

Show the solution
  2. R becomes S
  3. R becomes T

Words in this ladder

REAR noun
the back of a military formation or procession
SEAR verb
make very hot and dry
SEAT noun
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

Puzzle 3: HOOT to GROWN

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  2. T becomes D
  3. H becomes G
  4. D becomes N
  5. O becomes W
  6. add R

Words in this ladder

HOOT noun
a loud raucous cry (as of an owl)
HOOD noun
an aggressive and violent young criminal
GOOD noun
benefit
GOON noun
an awkward stupid person
GOWN noun
a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
GROWN verb
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

Puzzle 4: YOKE to CORNY

Medium Shortest solution: 4 steps

Show the solution
  2. Y becomes C
  3. K becomes N
  4. E becomes Y
  5. add R

Words in this ladder

YOKE noun
fabric comprising a fitted part at the top of a garment
COKE noun
carbon fuel produced by distillation of coal
CONE noun
any cone-shaped artifact
CONY noun
any of several small ungulate mammals of Africa and Asia with rodent-like incisors and feet with hooflike toes
CORNY adjective
dull and tiresome but with pretensions of significance or originality

Puzzle 5: TABS to SPASM

Hard Shortest solution: 7 steps

Show the solution
  2. B becomes N
  3. A becomes E
  4. N becomes A
  5. T becomes S
  6. E becomes P
  7. S becomes M
  8. add S

Words in this ladder

TABS noun
the bill in a restaurant
TANS noun
a browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun
TENS noun
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
TEAS noun
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
SEAS noun
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
SPAS noun
a health resort near a spring or at the seaside
SPAM noun
a canned meat made largely from pork
SPASM noun
a painful and involuntary muscular contraction

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