Word ladder answers for November 8, 2026
The daily ladder for Sunday, November 8, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was NICK to MACE, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was DIE to ASH, which needs at least 6.
Solutions are folded away until you open them, so you can have a go first. We show one shortest path per puzzle. Plenty of ladders have two or three paths of the same length, so if yours doesn't match and has the same step count, it's just as good.
Puzzle 1: NICK to MACE
Show the solution
- K becomes E
- N becomes M
- I becomes A
Words in this ladder
- NICK noun
- an impression in a surface (as made by a blow)
- NICE noun
- a city in southeastern France on the Mediterranean; the leading resort on the French Riviera
- MICE noun
- any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
- MACE noun
- (trademark) a liquid that temporarily disables a person; prepared as an aerosol and sprayed in the face, it irritates the eyes and causes dizziness and immobilization
Puzzle 2: PEW to FIG
Show the solution
- W becomes G
- E becomes I
- P becomes F
Words in this ladder
- PEW noun
- long bench with backs; used in church by the congregation
- PEG noun
- a wooden pin pushed or driven into a surface
- PIG noun
- domestic swine
- FIG noun
- a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
Puzzle 3: ACES to AWARDS
Show the solution
- C becomes R
- add W
- E becomes D
- add A
Words in this ladder
- ACES noun
- the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
- ARES noun
- (Greek mythology) Greek god of war; son of Zeus and Hera; identified with Roman Mars
- WARES noun
- articles of the same kind or material; usually used in combination: `silverware', `software'
- WARDS noun
- a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
- AWARDS noun
- a grant made by a law court
Puzzle 4: DESK to AMUSE
Show the solution
- E becomes U
- D becomes M
- K becomes E
- add A
Words in this ladder
- DESK noun
- a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
- DUSK noun
- the time of day immediately following sunset
- MUSK noun
- an odorous glandular secretion from the male musk deer; used as a perfume fixative
- MUSE noun
- in ancient Greek mythology any of 9 daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne; protector of an art or science
- AMUSE verb
- occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
Puzzle 5: DIE to ASH
Show the solution
- E becomes M
- D becomes A
- I becomes R
- M becomes K
- R becomes S
- K becomes H
Words in this ladder
- DIE noun
- a small cube with 1 to 6 spots on the six faces; used in gambling to generate random numbers
- DIM verb
- switch (a car's headlights) from a higher to a lower beam
- AIM noun
- an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
- ARM noun
- a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
- ARK noun
- (Judaism) sacred chest where the ancient Hebrews kept the two tablets containing the Ten Commandments
- ASK verb
- inquire about
- ASH noun
- the residue that remains when something is burned
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