Word ladder answers for September 5, 2026
The daily ladder for Saturday, September 5, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was PEN to TUB, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was DRAY to SLANT, 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: PEN to TUB
Show the solution
- E becomes U
- N becomes B
- P becomes T
Words in this ladder
- PEN noun
- a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
- PUN noun
- a humorous play on words
- PUB noun
- tavern consisting of a building with a bar and public rooms; often provides light meals
- TUB noun
- a relatively large open container that you fill with water and use to wash the body
Puzzle 2: FLUNK to SLACK
Show the solution
- U becomes A
- N becomes C
- F becomes S
Words in this ladder
- FLUNK noun
- failure to reach a minimum required performance
- FLANK noun
- the side of military or naval formation
- FLACK noun
- a slick spokesperson who can turn any criticism to the advantage of their employer
- SLACK noun
- dust consisting of a mixture of small coal fragments and coal dust and dirt that sifts out when coal is passed over a sieve
Puzzle 3: GOOS to WAGES
Show the solution
- G becomes W
- O becomes G
- O becomes A
- add E
Words in this ladder
- GOOS noun
- any thick, viscous matter
- WOOS verb
- seek someone's favor
- WOGS noun
- (offensive British slang) term used by the British to refer to people of color from Africa or Asia
- WAGS noun
- a witty amusing person who makes jokes
- WAGES noun
- a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
Puzzle 4: DRAY to SLANT
Show the solution
- D becomes P
- R becomes L
- P becomes S
- Y becomes T
- add N
Words in this ladder
- DRAY noun
- a low heavy horse cart without sides; used for haulage
- PRAY verb
- address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
- PLAY noun
- a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
- SLAY verb
- kill intentionally and with premeditation
- SLAT noun
- a thin strip (wood or metal)
- SLANT noun
- a biased way of looking at or presenting something
Puzzle 5: LCMS to FACEDS
Show the solution
- C becomes A
- add E
- M becomes C
- add D
- L becomes F
Words in this ladder
- LCMS noun
- the smallest multiple that is exactly divisible by every member of a set of numbers
- LAMS noun
- a rapid escape (as by criminals)
- LAMES noun
- someone who doesn't understand what is going on
- LACES noun
- a cord that is drawn through eyelets or around hooks in order to draw together two edges (as of a shoe or garment)
- LACEDS verb
- spin,wind, or twist together
- FACEDS verb
- deal with (something unpleasant) head on
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