Word ladder answers for September 28, 2026
The daily ladder for Monday, September 28, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was BELL to BEAR, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was APRS to ADIENT, which needs at least 6. Players found BELL to BEAR the trickiest: they averaged 6.2 steps against a shortest path of 3.
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: BELL to BEAR
Show the solution
- L becomes T
- L becomes A
- T becomes R
Words in this ladder
- BELL noun
- a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
- BELT noun
- endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
- BEAT noun
- a regular route for a sentry or policeman
- BEAR noun
- massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
Puzzle 2: SILTS to BULKS
Show the solution
- T becomes K
- I becomes U
- S becomes B
Words in this ladder
- SILTS noun
- mud or clay or small rocks deposited by a river or lake
- SILKS noun
- the brightly colored garments of a jockey; emblematic of the stable
- SULKS noun
- a mood or display of sullen aloofness or withdrawal
- BULKS noun
- the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
Puzzle 3: GRACE to CLONE
Show the solution
- C becomes V
- A becomes O
- R becomes L
- G becomes C
- V becomes N
Words in this ladder
- GRACE noun
- (Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
- GRAVE noun
- death of a person
- GROVE noun
- a small growth of trees without underbrush
- GLOVE noun
- the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
- CLOVE noun
- aromatic flower bud of a clove tree; yields a spice
- CLONE noun
- a person who is almost identical to another
Puzzle 4: GAUD to BONEY
Show the solution
- G becomes B
- U becomes N
- A becomes O
- add E
- D becomes Y
Words in this ladder
- GAUD noun
- cheap showy jewelry or ornament on clothing
- BAUD noun
- (computer science) a data transmission rate (bits/second) for modems
- BAND noun
- an unofficial association of people or groups
- BOND noun
- an electrical force linking atoms
- BONED verb
- study intensively, as before an exam
- BONEY adjective
- having bones especially many or prominent bones
Puzzle 5: APRS to ADIENT
Show the solution
- add E
- P becomes V
- S becomes T
- add D
- R becomes N
- V becomes I
Words in this ladder
- APRS noun
- the month following March and preceding May
- APERS noun
- someone who copies the words or behavior of another
- AVERS verb
- report or maintain
- AVERT verb
- prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
- ADVERT noun
- a public promotion of some product or service
- ADVENT noun
- arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)
- ADIENT adjective
- characterized by acceptance or approach
Today's puzzles are waiting
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