Word ladder answers for August 1, 2026
The daily ladder for Saturday, August 1, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was ZAPS to BEANS, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was NAZE to BYRON, 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: ZAPS to BEANS
Show the solution
- Z becomes B
- P becomes N
- add E
Words in this ladder
- ZAPS noun
- a sudden event that imparts energy or excitement, usually with a dramatic impact
- BAPS noun
- a small loaf or roll of soft bread
- BANS noun
- a decree that prohibits something
- BEANS noun
- any of various edible seeds of plants of the family Leguminosae used for food
Puzzle 2: DIVE to WIRY
Show the solution
- V becomes R
- D becomes W
- E becomes Y
Words in this ladder
- DIVE noun
- a cheap disreputable nightclub or dance hall
- DIRE adjective
- fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless; ; - G.C.Marshall
- WIRE noun
- ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
- WIRY adjective
- lean and sinewy
Puzzle 3: SITS to STEW
Show the solution
- I becomes E
- T becomes E
- S becomes M
- E becomes T
- M becomes W
Words in this ladder
- SITS verb
- be seated
- SETS noun
- a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
- SEES noun
- the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
- SEEM verb
- give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
- STEM noun
- (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
- STEW noun
- agitation resulting from active worry
Puzzle 4: VAN to KOLA
Show the solution
- V becomes B
- N becomes A
- A becomes O
- add L
- B becomes K
Words in this ladder
- VAN noun
- any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
- BAN noun
- a decree that prohibits something
- BAA noun
- the cry made by sheep
- BOA noun
- a long thin fluffy scarf of feathers or fur
- BOLA noun
- a cord fastened around the neck with an ornamental clasp and worn as a necktie
- KOLA noun
- tree bearing large brown nuts containing e.g. caffeine; source of cola extract
Puzzle 5: NAZE to BYRON
Show the solution
- N becomes D
- Z becomes R
- D becomes B
- E becomes N
- add O
- A becomes Y
Words in this ladder
- NAZE noun
- a cape at the southern tip of Norway
- DAZE noun
- the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
- DARE noun
- a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
- BARE verb
- lay bare
- BARN noun
- an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals
- BARON noun
- a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank
- BYRON noun
- English romantic poet notorious for his rebellious and unconventional lifestyle (1788-1824)
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