Word Labyrinth

Word ladder answers for July 17, 2026

The daily ladder for Friday, July 17, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was ORE to GONE, solvable in 2 steps, and the longest was OGEE to HEDGERS, 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: ORE to GONE

Easy Shortest solution: 2 steps

Show the solution
  2. R becomes N
  3. add G

Words in this ladder

ORE noun
a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
ONE noun
the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
GONE verb
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

Puzzle 2: MUCK to DARK

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. C becomes R
  3. U becomes A
  4. M becomes D

Words in this ladder

MUCK noun
any thick, viscous matter
MURK noun
an atmosphere in which visibility is reduced because of a cloud of some substance
MARK noun
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
DARK noun
absence of light or illumination

Puzzle 3: BOND to CHASE

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  2. O becomes A
  3. D becomes E
  4. N becomes S
  5. B becomes C
  6. add H

Words in this ladder

BOND noun
an electrical force linking atoms
BAND noun
an unofficial association of people or groups
BANE noun
something causing misery or death
BASE noun
installation from which a military force initiates operations
CASE noun
an occurrence of something
CHASE noun
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture

Puzzle 4: CONK to COPSES

Medium Shortest solution: 4 steps

Show the solution
  2. K becomes S
  3. N becomes P
  4. add E
  5. add S

Words in this ladder

CONK noun
informal term for the nose
CONS noun
an argument opposed to a proposal
COPS noun
uncomplimentary terms for a policeman
COPES noun
brick that is laid sideways at the top of a wall
COPSES noun
a dense growth of bushes

Puzzle 5: OGEE to HEDGERS

Hard Shortest solution: 7 steps

Show the solution
  2. O becomes A
  3. E becomes S
  4. add P
  5. add R
  6. P becomes E
  7. A becomes D
  8. add H

Words in this ladder

OGEE noun
a molding that (in section) has the shape of an S with the convex part above and the concave part below
AGEE noun
United States novelist (1909-1955)
AGES noun
how long something has existed
PAGES noun
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
PAGERS noun
an electronic device that generates a series of beeps when the person carrying it is being paged
EAGERS noun
a high wave (often dangerous) caused by tidal flow (as by colliding tidal currents or in a narrow estuary)
EDGERS noun
a person who puts finishing edges on a garment
HEDGERS noun
a respondent who avoids giving a clear direct answer

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