Word Labyrinth

Word ladder answers for July 23, 2026

The daily ladder for Thursday, July 23, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was STARS to SPURT, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was UTAS to CASE, 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: STARS to SPURT

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps · Solved by 2 players

Show the solution
  2. T becomes P
  3. A becomes U
  4. S becomes T

Words in this ladder

STARS noun
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
SPARS noun
any of various nonmetallic minerals (calcite or feldspar) that are light in color and transparent or translucent and cleavable
SPURS noun
a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
SPURT noun
the occurrence of a sudden discharge (as of liquid)

Puzzle 2: TAD to SIN

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps · Solved by 1 player

Show the solution
  2. D becomes N
  3. A becomes I
  4. T becomes S

Words in this ladder

TAD noun
a slight amount or degree of difference
TAN noun
a browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun
TIN noun
a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
SIN noun
estrangement from god

Puzzle 3: GENU to DARNS

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps · Solved by 1 player

Show the solution
  2. U becomes S
  3. G becomes T
  4. E becomes A
  5. add R
  6. T becomes D

Words in this ladder

GENU noun
hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
GENS noun
family based on male descent
TENS noun
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
TANS noun
a browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun
TARNS noun
a mountain lake (especially one formed by glaciers)
DARNS noun
something of little value

Puzzle 4: FEE to SAGO

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  2. add T
  3. E becomes A
  4. F becomes S
  5. T becomes G
  6. E becomes O

Words in this ladder

FEE noun
a fixed charge for a privilege or for professional services
FETE noun
an elaborate party (often outdoors)
FATE noun
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
SATE verb
fill to satisfaction
SAGE noun
a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom
SAGO noun
powdery starch from certain sago palms; used in Asia as a food thickener and textile stiffener

Puzzle 5: UTAS to CASE

Hard Shortest solution: 7 steps

Show the solution
  2. U becomes E
  3. T becomes R
  4. A becomes R
  5. R becomes A
  6. E becomes C
  7. S becomes E
  8. R becomes S

Words in this ladder

UTAS noun
a reptile genus of Iguanidae
ETAS noun
a terrorist organization organized in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional Basque party; want to create an independent homeland in Spain's western Pyrenees
ERAS noun
a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
ERRS verb
to make a mistake or be incorrect
EARS noun
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
CARS noun
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
CARE noun
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
CASE noun
an occurrence of something

Today's puzzles are waiting

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

Play today's ladder