Word ladder answers for May 21, 2026
The daily ladder for Thursday, May 21, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was DUD to CUE, solvable in 2 steps, and the longest was XIIS to MILS, 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: DUD to CUE
Show the solution
- D becomes E
- D becomes C
Words in this ladder
- DUD noun
- someone who is unsuccessful
- DUE noun
- that which is deserved or owed
- CUE noun
- an actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech
Puzzle 2: PAR to DEBAR
Show the solution
- add E
- P becomes D
- add B
Words in this ladder
- PAR noun
- (golf) the standard number of strokes set for each hole on a golf course, or for the entire course
- PEAR noun
- sweet juicy gritty-textured fruit available in many varieties
- DEAR noun
- a beloved person; used as terms of endearment
- DEBAR verb
- bar temporarily; from school, office, etc.
Puzzle 3: RUMBLE to STUBBLY
Show the solution
- R becomes T
- add S
- M becomes B
- E becomes Y
Words in this ladder
- RUMBLE noun
- a loud low dull continuous noise
- TUMBLE noun
- an acrobatic feat of rolling or turning end over end
- STUMBLE noun
- an unsteady uneven gait
- STUBBLE noun
- material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
- STUBBLY adjective
- having a short growth of beard
Puzzle 4: GOOS to TEES
Show the solution
- G becomes W
- O becomes E
- W becomes T
- O becomes E
Words in this ladder
- GOOS noun
- any thick, viscous matter
- WOOS verb
- seek someone's favor
- WOES noun
- misery resulting from affliction
- TOES noun
- one of the digits of the foot
- TEES noun
- the starting place for each hole on a golf course
Puzzle 5: XIIS to MILS
Show the solution
- X becomes V
- I becomes M
- V becomes A
- M becomes L
- A becomes M
Words in this ladder
- XIIS noun
- the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
- VIIS noun
- the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
- VIMS noun
- a healthy capacity for vigorous activity
- AIMS noun
- an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
- AILS noun
- aromatic bulb used as seasoning
- MILS noun
- a Cypriot monetary unit equal to one thousandth of a pound
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