Word ladder answers for June 5, 2026

The daily ladder for Friday, June 5, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was GAD to BAN, solvable in 2 steps, and the longest was WEEKS to SNIPS, 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: GAD to BAN

Easy Shortest solution: 2 steps · Solved by 2 players

Show the solution
  1. G becomes B
  2. D becomes N

Words in this ladder

GAD noun
an anxiety disorder characterized by chronic free-floating anxiety and such symptoms as tension or sweating or trembling or lightheadedness or irritability etc that has lasted for more than six months
BAD noun
that which is below standard or expectations as of ethics or decency
BAN noun
a decree that prohibits something

Puzzle 2: RAPS to KINS

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps · Solved by 2 players

Show the solution
  1. A becomes I
  2. R becomes K
  3. P becomes N

Words in this ladder

RAPS noun
a reproach for some lapse or misdeed
RIPS noun
a dissolute man in fashionable society
KIPS noun
sleep
KINS noun
a person having kinship with another or others

Puzzle 3: WEEKS to SNIPS

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps · Solved by 2 players

Show the solution
  1. W becomes S
  2. K becomes P
  3. E becomes K
  4. E becomes I
  5. K becomes N

Words in this ladder

WEEKS noun
any period of seven consecutive days
SEEKS noun
the movement of a read/write head to a specific data track on a disk
SEEPS verb
pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings
SKEPS noun
a large round wicker basket (used on farms)
SKIPS noun
a gait in which steps and hops alternate
SNIPS noun
(plural) hand shears for cutting sheet metal

Puzzle 4: LINER to SALVER

Medium Shortest solution: 4 steps · Solved by 1 player

Show the solution
  1. N becomes V
  2. I becomes A
  3. L becomes S
  4. add L

Words in this ladder

LINER noun
(baseball) a hit that flies straight out from the batter
LIVER noun
large and complicated reddish-brown glandular organ located in the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity; secretes bile and functions in metabolism of protein and carbohydrate and fat; synthesizes substances involved in the clotting of the blood; synthesizes vitamin A; detoxifies poisonous substances and breaks down worn-out erythrocytes
LAVER 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)
SAVER noun
someone who saves something from danger or violence
SALVER noun
a tray (or large plate) for serving food or drinks; usually made of silver

Puzzle 5: XCI to WIVE

Hard Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  1. C becomes I
  2. X becomes L
  3. I becomes E
  4. add V
  5. L becomes W

Words in this ladder

XCI adjective
being one more than ninety
XII noun
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
LII adjective
being two more than fifty
LIE noun
a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
LIVE verb
inhabit or live in; be an inhabitant of
WIVE verb
take (someone) as a wife

Today's puzzles are waiting

A new set of word ladders is released every day, free to play.

Play today's ladder