Word Labyrinth

Word ladder answers for May 25, 2026

The daily ladder for Monday, May 25, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was SAP to PLAN, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was COOPS to TRIPLETS, 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: SAP to PLAN

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. S becomes P
  3. P becomes N
  4. add L

Words in this ladder

SAP noun
a watery solution of sugars, salts, and minerals that circulates through the vascular system of a plant
PAP noun
worthless or oversimplified ideas
PAN noun
cooking utensil consisting of a wide metal vessel
PLAN noun
a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

Puzzle 2: CAWS to SEATS

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. W becomes T
  3. C becomes E
  4. add S

Words in this ladder

CAWS noun
the sound made by corvine birds
CATS noun
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
EATS noun
informal terms for a meal
SEATS noun
an area that includes places where several people can sit

Puzzle 3: CAKE to SWASH

Medium Shortest solution: 4 steps

Show the solution
  2. K becomes S
  3. E becomes H
  4. C becomes W
  5. add S

Words in this ladder

CAKE noun
a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
CASE noun
an occurrence of something
CASH noun
money in the form of bills or coins
WASH noun
a thin coat of water-base paint
SWASH noun
the movement or sound of water

Puzzle 4: ELLS to SKULKS

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  2. add B
  3. E becomes U
  4. L becomes K
  5. B becomes S
  6. add K

Words in this ladder

ELLS noun
an extension at the end and at right angles to the main building
BELLS noun
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
BULLS noun
uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle
BULKS noun
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
SULKS noun
a mood or display of sullen aloofness or withdrawal
SKULKS verb
lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner

Puzzle 5: COOPS to TRIPLETS

Hard Shortest solution: 7 steps

Show the solution
  2. O becomes R
  3. C becomes D
  4. O becomes I
  5. D becomes T
  6. add E
  7. add L
  8. add T

Words in this ladder

COOPS noun
a farm building for housing poultry
CROPS noun
the yield from plants in a single growing season
DROPS noun
a shape that is spherical and small
DRIPS noun
flowing in drops; the formation and falling of drops of liquid
TRIPS noun
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
TRIPES noun
lining of the stomach of a ruminant (especially a bovine) used as food
TRIPLES noun
a base hit at which the batter stops safely at third base
TRIPLETS noun
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

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