Word Labyrinth

Word ladder answers for July 9, 2026

The daily ladder for Thursday, July 9, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was WIPE to DOPE, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was CAVES to SURELY, 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: WIPE to DOPE

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. W becomes R
  3. I becomes O
  4. R becomes D

Words in this ladder

WIPE noun
the act of rubbing or wiping
RIPE adjective
fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used
ROPE noun
a strong line
DOPE noun
street names for marijuana

Puzzle 2: STALK to WHALE

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. K becomes E
  3. T becomes H
  4. S becomes W

Words in this ladder

STALK noun
material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
STALE verb
urinate, of cattle and horses
SHALE noun
a sedimentary rock formed by the deposition of successive layers of clay
WHALE noun
a very large person; impressive in size or qualities

Puzzle 3: ZONES to FACTS

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  2. Z becomes P
  3. O becomes A
  4. N becomes C
  5. E becomes T
  6. P becomes F

Words in this ladder

ZONES noun
a locally circumscribed place characterized by some distinctive features
PONES noun
cornbread often made without milk or eggs and baked or fried (southern)
PANES noun
sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors
PACES noun
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
PACTS noun
a written agreement between two states or sovereigns
FACTS noun
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

Puzzle 4: PILES to SWISHES

Medium Shortest solution: 4 steps

Show the solution
  2. P becomes W
  3. L becomes S
  4. add H
  5. add S

Words in this ladder

PILES noun
pain caused by venous swelling at or inside the anal sphincter
WILES noun
the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)
WISES noun
a way of doing or being
WISHES noun
a specific feeling of desire
SWISHES noun
a brushing or rustling sound

Puzzle 5: CAVES to SURELY

Hard Shortest solution: 6 steps

Show the solution
  2. V becomes R
  3. A becomes U
  4. E becomes L
  5. S becomes Y
  6. C becomes S
  7. add E

Words in this ladder

CAVES noun
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
CARES noun
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
CURES noun
a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain
CURLS noun
a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
CURLY adjective
(of hair) having curls or waves
SURLY adjective
inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace
SURELY adverb
definitely or positively (`sure' is sometimes used informally for `surely')

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