Word ladder answers for May 17, 2026
The daily ladder for Sunday, May 17, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was TAPA to TAMS, solvable in 2 steps, and the longest was ADAD to STIRK, 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: WANT to SWABS
Show the solution
- T becomes S
- add S
- N becomes B
Words in this ladder
- WANT noun
- a state of extreme poverty
- WANS noun
- a computer network that spans a wider area than does a local area network
- SWANS noun
- stately heavy-bodied aquatic bird with very long neck and usually white plumage as adult
- SWABS noun
- implement consisting of a small piece of cotton that is used to apply medication or cleanse a wound or obtain a specimen of a secretion
Puzzle 2: TAPA to TAMS
Show the solution
- A becomes S
- P becomes M
Words in this ladder
- TAPA noun
- the thin fibrous bark of the paper mulberry and Pipturus albidus
- TAPS noun
- (military) signal to turn the lights out
- TAMS noun
- a woolen cap of Scottish origin
Puzzle 3: LOGES to SALVERS
Show the solution
- G becomes V
- add R
- O becomes A
- L becomes S
- add L
Words in this ladder
- LOGES noun
- balcony consisting of the forward section of a theater mezzanine
- LOVES noun
- a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
- LOVERS noun
- a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
- LAVERS noun
- Australian tennis player who in 1962 was the second man to win the Australian and French and English and United States singles titles in the same year; in 1969 he repeated this feat (born in 1938)
- SAVERS noun
- someone who saves something from danger or violence
- SALVERS noun
- a tray (or large plate) for serving food or drinks; usually made of silver
Puzzle 4: BOOTS to WARNS
Show the solution
- T becomes N
- O becomes R
- O becomes A
- B becomes W
Words in this ladder
- BOOTS noun
- footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
- BOONS noun
- a desirable state
- BORNS noun
- British nuclear physicist (born in Germany) honored for his contributions to quantum mechanics (1882-1970)
- BARNS noun
- an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals
- WARNS verb
- notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
Puzzle 5: ADAD to STIRK
Show the solution
- D becomes R
- D becomes T
- A becomes S
- add R
- R becomes K
- A becomes I
Words in this ladder
- ADAD noun
- Babylonian god of storms and wind
- ADAR noun
- the sixth month of the civil year; the twelfth month of the ecclesiastic year in the Jewish calendar (in February and March)
- ATAR noun
- essential oil or perfume obtained from flowers
- STAR noun
- (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
- STARR noun
- rock star and drummer for the Beatles (born in 1940)
- STARK adjective
- devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment
- STIRK noun
- yearling heifer or bullock
Today's puzzles are waiting
A new set of word ladders is released every day, free to play.
Play today's ladder