Word Labyrinth

Word ladder answers for September 6, 2026

The daily ladder for Sunday, September 6, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was BATS to PLAYS, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was LATES to SKITTERS, 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: BATS to PLAYS

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. T becomes Y
  3. B becomes P
  4. add L

Words in this ladder

BATS noun
nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate
BAYS noun
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
PAYS noun
something that remunerates
PLAYS noun
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

Puzzle 2: FIRES to DORMS

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. E becomes M
  3. I becomes O
  4. F becomes D

Words in this ladder

FIRES noun
the event of something burning (often destructive)
FIRMS noun
the members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments
FORMS noun
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
DORMS noun
a college or university building containing living quarters for students

Puzzle 3: LATES to SKITTERS

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  2. add T
  3. add R
  4. A becomes I
  5. L becomes S
  6. add K

Words in this ladder

LATES noun
a genus of large percoid fishes of fresh and brackish water
LATTES noun
strong espresso coffee with a topping of frothed steamed milk
LATTERS noun
the second of two or the second mentioned of two
LITTERS noun
the offspring at one birth of a multiparous mammal
SITTERS noun
Dutch astronomer who calculated the size of the universe and suggested that it is expanding (1872-1934)
SKITTERS verb
to move about or proceed hurriedly

Puzzle 4: WIPER to CITIES

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  2. R becomes S
  3. W becomes R
  4. P becomes T
  5. R becomes C
  6. add I

Words in this ladder

WIPER noun
a worker who wipes
WIPES noun
the act of rubbing or wiping
RIPES verb
tear or be torn violently
RITES noun
an established ceremony prescribed by a religion
CITES noun
a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage
CITIES noun
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

Puzzle 5: ONUS to BITIS

Hard Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  2. U becomes E
  3. add B
  4. O becomes I
  5. N becomes T
  6. E becomes I

Words in this ladder

ONUS noun
an onerous or difficult concern
ONES noun
the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
BONES noun
a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
BINES noun
European twining plant whose flowers are used chiefly to flavor malt liquors; cultivated in America
BITES noun
a wound resulting from biting by an animal or a person
BITIS noun
a genus of Viperidae

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