Word ladder answers for September 10, 2026

The daily ladder for Thursday, September 10, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was LETS to LITHE, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was LULU to MINDED, 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: LETS to LITHE

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  1. E becomes I
  2. S becomes E
  3. add H

Words in this ladder

LETS noun
a brutal terrorist group active in Kashmir; fights against India with the goal of restoring Islamic rule of India
LITS noun
the humanistic study of a body of literature
LITE adjective
having relatively few calories
LITHE adjective
moving and bending with ease

Puzzle 2: SERGE to MANGE

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  1. S becomes M
  2. E becomes A
  3. R becomes N

Words in this ladder

SERGE noun
a twilled woolen fabric
MERGE verb
become one
MARGE noun
a spread made chiefly from vegetable oils and used as a substitute for butter
MANGE noun
a persistent and contagious disease of the skin causing inflammation and itching and loss of hair; affects domestic animals (and sometimes people)

Puzzle 3: BOWL to TARS

Medium Shortest solution: 4 steps

Show the solution
  1. L becomes S
  2. B becomes T
  3. W becomes R
  4. O becomes A

Words in this ladder

BOWL noun
a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids
BOWS noun
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
TOWS noun
the act of hauling something (as a vehicle) by means of a hitch or rope
TORS noun
a prominent rock or pile of rocks on a hill
TARS noun
any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue

Puzzle 4: SOBS to SKIMPS

Medium Shortest solution: 4 steps

Show the solution
  1. B becomes P
  2. O becomes I
  3. add K
  4. add M

Words in this ladder

SOBS noun
a dyspneic condition
SOPS noun
piece of solid food for dipping in a liquid
SIPS noun
a small drink
SKIPS noun
a gait in which steps and hops alternate
SKIMPS verb
work hastily or carelessly; deal with inadequately and superficially

Puzzle 5: LULU to MINDED

Hard Shortest solution: 7 steps

Show the solution
  1. U becomes L
  2. L becomes M
  3. U becomes I
  4. L becomes D
  5. L becomes N
  6. add E
  7. add D

Words in this ladder

LULU noun
a very attractive or seductive looking woman
LULL noun
a pause during which things are calm or activities are diminished
MULL noun
a term used in Scottish names of promontories
MILL noun
a plant consisting of one or more buildings with facilities for manufacturing
MILD adjective
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
MIND noun
that which is responsible for one's thoughts and feelings; the seat of the faculty of reason
MINED verb
get from the earth by excavation
MINDED verb
be offended or bothered by; take offense with, be bothered by

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