Wordspine #1

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Sunday, August 23, 2026

Answers for puzzle #1. Every word below follows the spine: the first letter starts the word, the last letter ends it, and any letters in between appear in that order somewhere inside.

Why words fit

Take HD. A word like haberdashery looks close but doesn't count — it starts with H but ends with Y, not D. Order is the whole game.

Pro — four levels

Level 1HD517 words fit

starts with H and ends with D.

hacked, had, hailed, haired, hallowed, hammered, hand, handcuffed, handed, handheld, handicapped, handled, handstand, hanged, happened, harassed, hard, hardened, hardwired, harmed, harnessed, hassled, hastened, hatched, hated, hatred, hauled, haunted, hayseed, hayward … and 487 more

All words that fit HD

Scoring on this level: HAD = 5 points, HANDICAPPED = 13 points.

Level 2FSG98 words fit

starts with F and ends with G, with S in between, in that order.

fantasizing, fascinating, fasting, feasting, festering, finishing, fishing, flashing, flossing, focusing, focussing, foisting, forsaking, freshening, frosting, frustrating, fundraising, fussing, falsifying, familiarising, famishing, fantasising, fantasticating, fantasying, faradising, farseeing, fashing, fashioning, fastening, feasing … and 68 more

All words that fit FSG

Scoring on this level: FASTING = 11 points, FANTASTICATING = 18 points.

Level 3CSSS590 words fit

starts with C and ends with S, with S then S in between, in that order.

carelessness, cassettes, chassis, classes, classics, classless, classmates, classrooms, closeness, clumsiness, commissioners, compressions, concessions, concussions, confessions, consciousness, consensus, consists, croissants, crosses, crosshairs, crossroads, caddishness, caddishnesses, caestuses, cageynesses, caginesses, caissons, calculatednesses, callousness … and 560 more

All words that fit CSSS

Scoring on this level: CHASSIS = 13 points, CALCULATEDNESSES = 22 points.

Level 4SUING396 words fit

starts with S and ends with G, with U then I then N in between, in that order.

saluting, scheduling, scouting, scrounging, scrubbing, scurrying, securing, seducing, sequencing, shouting, shrugging, shuffling, shushing, shutting, slaughtering, slugging, slumming, slurping, smuggling, snuggling, sounding, speculating, spouting, sprouting, squaring, squashing, squatting, squawking, squeaking, squeezing … and 366 more

All words that fit SUING

Scoring on this level: SALUTING = 16 points, SLAUGHTERING = 20 points.

Ranks on this day

  • Beginner0
  • Good Start26
  • Moving Up59
  • Good98
  • Solid163
  • Nice247
  • Great338
  • Genius455
  • Perfect650
Play this Pro day

Sprint — ten rounds

Sprint can't be replayed, so this is the record of the day.

Round 1SS7184 words fit

starts with S and ends with S.

sabers, sacks, sacrifices, sadness, safeguards, safes, sailboats, sailors, sails, saints, sakes, salads, salaries, sales, salinas, saltines, salutations, samples, sanctimonious, sandals, sanders, sands, sandwiches, sans, santos, sapiens, sapphires, saps, sarcoidosis, sarcophagus, sardines, satellites, satisfies, saucers, sausages, savages, saves, savings, saws, sayings, says, scabs, scales, scallions, scallops, scams, scanners, scans, scares, scars, scarves, scenarios, scenes, scents, schedules, schematics, schemes, schnapps, scholarships, schools, sciences, scientists, scissors, scoliosis, scones, scoops, scopes, scores, scorpions, scotches, scots, scoundrels, scouts, scrapes, scrapings, scraps, scratches, screams, screens, screws, screwups, scripts, scriptures, scrolls, scrubs, scruples, sculptures, scumbags, seals, seamless, seams, seamstress, searches, sears, seas, seashells, seasons, seats, seconds, secretaries, secrets, sections, sectors, securities, sedatives, seduces, seeds, seekers, seeks, seems, sees, segments, seizes, seizures, selections, selfies, selfishness, selfless, selflessness, sells, selves, semantics, seminars, senators, sends, seniors, senseless, senses, sensibilities, sensors, sensuous, sentences, sentiments, sentinels, separates, sequences, sequins, series, serious, seriousness, sermons, servants, servers, serves, services, servings, sessions, sesterces, setbacks, sets, settings, settlements, settles, sevens, seventies, sewers, sexes, sexless, shackles, shades, shadows, shakers, shakes, shallows, shambles, shameless, shanks, shapes, shards, shares, sharks, sharpens, sharpshooters, shaves, sheds, sheets, shells, shelters, shelves, shenanigans, shepherds, shes, shields, shifts, shillings, shines, shingles, shins, shipments, ships, shirtless, shirts, shits, shivers, shocks, shoelaces, shoes, shooters, shootings, shoots, shoplifters, shops, shores, shortcomings, shortness, shorts, shotguns, shots, shoulders, shouts, shovels, shoves, showers, shows, shreds, shrinks, shrouds, shrubs, shrugs, shucks, shuts, shutters, shuttles, shyness, siblings, sickens, sickness, sickos, sideburns, sidekicks, sidelines, sides, sidewalks, sideways, sighs, sightings, sightless, sights, signals, signatures … and 6944 more

All words that fit SS
Round 2FT361 words fit

starts with F and ends with T.

facet, fact, faggot, faint, faintest, fairest, fallout, fart, fascist, fast, fastest, fat, fattest, faucet, fault, feast, feat, feet, felt, feminist, ferment, ferret, fervent, fiercest, fight, figment, filet, finalist, finest, fingerprint, firefight, firelight, first, fishnet, fist, fistfight, fit, fittest, flashlight, flat, flaunt, fleet, flight, flint, flirt, float, florist, fluorescent, foggiest, fondest, font, foot, foremost, foresight, forest, forethought, forfeit, forget, forgot, forklift, format, fort, forthright, fortnight, fought, fragment, frat, fraught, freight, frequent, freshest, fret, friendliest, fright, front, frost, fruit, fulfillment, fullest, fundamentalist, funniest, furthest, fabricant, fabulist, factualist, faddiest, faddist, fagot, faineant, fainest, falconet, falsest, faltboat, famishment, fanciest, fanjet, fanlight, fantasist, fantast, fanwort, farthermost, farthest, fatalist, fattiest, faultiest, fauvist, fawniest, fearfullest, featest, featheriest, featherlight, featherweight, featliest, feculent, federalist, feeblest, feedlot, feetfirst, feint, feist, feistiest, fellest, felwort, feoffment, ferniest, ferrimagnet, ferromagnet, ferryboat, fet, fetishist, fetologist, feudalist, feudist, feuilletonist, feverwort, fewest, feyest, fiat, fibroblast, ficklest, fictionist, fideist, fidget, fieldstript, fieriest, figurant, figwort, filament, filbert, filemot, fillet, filmiest, filmset, filthiest, finfoot, fingerpost, finickiest, finnickiest, finniest, fireboat, firebrat, firelit, firepot, firmament, firmest, fishbolt, fishiest, fitchet, fitment, fixit, fixt, fizziest, flabbergast, flabbiest, flagellant, flageolet, flaggiest, flagrant, flakiest, flamboyant, flameout, flamiest, flappiest, flashiest, flasket, flatboat, flatfeet, flatfoot, flatlet, flattest, flatulent, flauntiest, flautist, flavorist, flawiest, flaxiest, fleapit, fleawort, fledgiest, fleeciest, fleetest, fleshiest, fleshliest, fleshment, fleshpot, flibbertigibbet, fliest, flightiest, flimsiest, flintiest, flippant, flippest, flirtiest, flit, floatiest, flocculant, flocculent, flockiest, floodlight, floodlit, floppiest, florescent, floret, floriculturist, floruit, flossiest, flounciest, flout, flowchart, floweret, floweriest, flowerpot, fluctuant, fluent, fluffiest, flugelhornist, fluidextract, flukiest, fluoroscopist, flushest … and 121 more

All words that fit FT
Round 3DRS1798 words fit

starts with D and ends with S, with R in between, in that order.

dancers, dangerous, dangers, dares, darkness, darks, darlings, darts, daughters, dealers, dears, debris, decompress, decorations, decorators, degrees, deliberations, delirious, deliveries, delivers, demerits, democrats, demographics, demonstrates, demonstrations, demonstrators, denominators, dentures, departments, depress, depressors, derives, derris, describes, deserts, deserves, designers, desires, desserts, destroyers, destroys, destructs, detectors, determines, detonators, detours, devours, dewars, diapers, diaphragms, diaries, diatribes, dictators, dictatorships, differences, differs, diggers, dignitaries, digress, diners, dinners, dinosaurs, directions, directors, disagreements, disagrees, disappearances, disappears, disapproves, disasters, disastrous, discourteous, discoveries, discovers, discrepancies, disorders, dispensers, disruptions, disrupts, distortions, distractions, distress, distributors, districts, disturbances, diuretics, divers, diversions, divorces, doctors, documentaries, dodgers, dollars, donors, doorknobs, doors, dorms, downstairs, drafts, dragons, dragoons, drags, dramas, drapes, drawers, drawings, draws, dreamers, dreamless, dreams, dregs, dress, dresses, dressings, dribbles, dries, drinkers, drinks, drips, drivers, drives, driveways, drones, drools, droppings, drops, droves, drugs, drums, drumsticks, drunks, druthers, dryers, duress, dwarfs, dwarves, dwellers, dabbers, dabblers, dabsters, dackers, daggers, daguerreotypes, daguerreotypies, daguerreotypists, daikers, daiquiris, dairies, dairyings, dairymaids, dakerhens, dalliers, damagers, damars, dameworts, dammars, dammers, damners, dampeners, dampers, danders, dandlers, dandriffs, dandruffs, daneworts, dangerousness, dangerousnesses, danglers, danseurs, dapperness, dappernesses, darbies, darbs, daredevilries, daredevils, daredeviltries, darers, darics, daringness, daringnesses, darings, darioles, darkeners, darkens, darkeys, darkies, darkles, darknesses, darkrooms, darlingness, darlingnesses, darndests, darnels, darners, darnings, darns, darshans, dartboards, darters, dartles, dashboards, dashers, dastardliness, dastardlinesses, dastards, dasyures, dataries, daters, daturas, dauberies, daubers, daubries, daughterless, daunders, daunorubicins, daunters, davenports, dawdlers, daybreaks, daydreamers, daydreams, dayflowers, daymares, dayrooms, daystars, dayworks, dazzlers, deaconries, deactivators, deadeners, deadpanners, deaerates, deaerations, deaerators, deairs, dealerships, deaneries, dearies, dearness, dearnesses … and 1558 more

All words that fit DRS
Round 4PUR160 words fit

starts with P and ends with R, with U in between, in that order.

paramour, parlour, particular, peculiar, plumber, plunder, popular, pounder, pour, producer, prosecutor, prouder, publisher, pucker, puller, puppeteer, purer, purr, pusher, pushover, putter, pabular, painfuller, pandour, papular, pasqueflower, pasteurizer, pasticheur, pasturer, paunchier, pauper, pauser, paviour, peacefuller, peculator, peduncular, pelycosaur, pendular, peninsular, perambulator, perfumer, perjurer, perpendicular, perpetuator, persecutor, persuader, peruser, photomultiplier, photonuclear, piacular, pilular, pinnular, pitifuller, plaguer, planular, plesiosaur, plougher, plucker, pluckier, plugger, plumier, plummier, plumper, plumular, plunderer, plunger, plunker, plusher, plushier, polluter, polymorphonuclear, polynuclear, pompadour, popularizer, poseur, postulator, posturer, pothunter, pouchier, poulter, poulterer, pouncer, pourer, pourparler, pouter, poutier, precomputer, precursor, prejudger, preluder, prenumber, preslaughter, pressurizer, presumer, proconsular, procurator, procurer, profounder, prolocutor, promulgator, pronouncer, pronuclear, propounder, prosateur, prostitutor, provascular, provocateur, pruner, pterosaur, puckerer, puckerier, puddler, puddlier, pudgier, puffer, puffier, puggier, puler, pullover, pulmotor, pulper, pulpier, pulsar, pulsator, pulser, pulverizer, pulvinar, pumicer, pumper, puncher, punchier, punctuator, punier, punisher, punker, punkier, punner, punnier, punster, punter, pupilar, pur, purchaser, purger, purificator, purifier, purloiner, purpler, purser, pursier, pursuer, purveyor, pushchair, pushier, pussier, pussyfooter, pustular, putterer, puttier, puzzler

All words that fit PUR
Round 5KKS110 words fit

starts with K and ends with S, with K in between, in that order.

khakis, kickbacks, kicks, knickers, knickknacks, knockers, knocks, knuckles, kooks, kabakas, kabikis, kabukis, kaffeeklatsches, kaiaks, kakapos, kakas, kakemonos, kakiemons, kakis, kallikreins, kalpaks, kamikazes, kamiks, kapoks, karakuls, karaokes, karyokineses, karyokinesis, katakanas, kavakavas, kayakers, kayakings, kayaks, kazatskies, kebbocks, kebbucks, keckles, kecks, keeks, keepsakes, kerplunks, keystrokes, khirkahs, kibbutzniks, kickballs, kickboards, kickboxers, kickboxings, kickers, kickoffs, kickshaws, kickstands, kickups, kidskins, kikes, kilderkins, killicks, killocks, kinfolks, kingmakers, kinkajous, kinkiness, kinkinesses, kinks, kinnikinnicks, kiosks, kipskins, kirks, kishkas, kishkes, kittiwakes, knackeries, knackers, knacks, knackwursts, knapsacks, kneesocks, knickerbockers, knobkerries, knockabouts, knockdowns, knockoffs, knockouts, knockwursts, knuckleballers, knuckleballs, knucklebones, knuckleheads, knucklers, kokanees, kolinskies, kolkhos, kolkhoses, kolkhozes, kolkhozniks, kolkozes, komatiks, konks, kookaburras, kookiness, kookinesses, kopecks, kopeks, krakens, kukris, kulaks, kwashiorkors, kyacks, kyaks, kylikes

All words that fit KKS
Round 6WTED91 words fit

starts with W and ends with D, with T then E in between, in that order.

waited, waitressed, wanted, warranted, wasted, watched, waterbed, watered, weathered, weighted, whittled, withered, withheld, witnessed, wretched, wadsetted, wafted, wainscoted, wainscotted, waistcoated, waisted, waltzed, wantoned, warmhearted, warstled, warted, wasteland, watchdogged, waterbird, waterflood, waterflooded, waterlogged, watermarked, waterproofed, watershed, waterweed, wattlebird, wattled, wauchted, waughted, weakhearted, weatherboard, weatherboarded, weatherized, weatherproofed, weeted, welted, weltered, westered, westernised, westernized, wetted, whetted, whipstitched, whishted, whisted, whistled, whitebeard, whited, whitehead, whitened, whitewashed, whitewood, whitherward, wholehearted, widemouthed, wildcatted, wilted, wintered, winterized, wintled, wiretapped, wisted, witched, witchweed, wited, withed, witted, wonted, worrited, worsted, worthed, wotted, wrastled, wrathed, wreathed, wrested, wrestled, writhed, wuthered, wyted

All words that fit WTED
Round 7POEC90 words fit

starts with P and ends with C, with O then E in between, in that order.

photogenic, poetic, problematic, prosthetic, paedogenetic, paedogenic, paleoecologic, paleogeographic, paleomagnetic, parasympathomimetic, parthenogenetic, pathogenetic, pathogenic, pedogenetic, pedogenic, petrogenetic, phallocentric, pharmacokinetic, phenomenalistic, phonematic, phonemic, phonetic, photoelectric, photoelectronic, photogeologic, photogrammetric, photokinetic, photometric, photomorphogenic, photoperiodic, photospheric, photosynthetic, phylogenetic, phytogeographic, phytopathogenic, piezoelectric, piezometric, poikilothermic, polarimetric, polemic, polycentric, polycythemic, polyembryonic, polyenic, polygenetic, polygenic, polymeric, polypeptidic, polyphenolic, polyphyletic, polytechnic, polytheistic, postembryonic, postencephalitic, postepileptic, postexilic, posthemorrhagic, postischemic, potentiometric, procephalic, progestogenic, progressivistic, proleptic, pronephric, propaedeutic, prophetic, prosencephalic, proteolytic, prothetic, protostelic, protreptic, proxemic, pseudoscientific, psychogenetic, psychogenic, psychokinetic, psychometric, psychoneurotic, psychotherapeutic, psychotomimetic, psychrometric, pyelonephritic, pyogenic, pyrheliometric, pyroelectric, pyrogenic, pyrometric, pyrotechnic, pyroxenic, pyroxenitic

All words that fit POEC
Round 8BOMS185 words fit

starts with B and ends with S, with O then M in between, in that order.

bathrooms, becomes, bedrooms, blooms, blossoms, bombers, bombings, bombs, bottomless, bottoms, brooms, broomsticks, bachelordoms, backrooms, bagworms, balletomanes, balletomanias, ballrooms, bamboozlements, barnstormers, barnstorms, barograms, barometers, barometries, barrooms, basidiomycetes, basidiomycetous, bazooms, beachcombers, beachcombs, becomings, beglooms, behaviorisms, benomyls, besoms, bestsellerdoms, bevomits, beworms, bibliomaniacs, bibliomanias, bibliophilisms, bichromates, bildungsromans, binomials, biochemicals, biochemistries, biochemists, biocompatibilities, biogeochemicals, biogeochemistries, bioherms, biologisms, bioluminescences, biomass, biomasses, biomaterials, biomathematicians, biomathematics, biomechanics, biomedicines, biomes, biometeorologies, biometricians, biometrics, biometries, biomolecules, bionomics, bionomies, bioplasms, biopolymers, biorhythms, biosystematics, biosystematists, biotelemetries, biotransformations, blastoderms, blastomas, blastomeres, blastomycoses, blastomycosis, blepharospasms, blindworms, bloodmobiles, bloodstreams, bloodworms, bloomeries, bloomers, boardrooms, bodements, boehmites, bogyisms, bohemianisms, bohemians, bohemias, boilermakers, bollworms, bolometers, bolshevisms, bombardiers, bombardments, bombardons, bombards, bombasts, bombazines, bombes, bombesins, bombinates, bombinations, bombloads, bombshells, bombsights, bombycids, bombyxes, bondmaids, bonemeals, bonhomies, bonhomous, bookmakers, bookmakings, bookmarkers, bookmarks, bookmobiles, bookworms, boomboxes, boomerangs, boomers, boomkins, boomlets, booms, boomtowns, boosterisms, borborygmus, boredoms, bosoms, bossdoms, bossisms, bothriums, bottomers, bottomlands, bottomlessness, bottomlessnesses, bottomries, botulinums, botulisms, bouleversements, bourbonisms, boyarisms, brainstormers, brainstormings, brainstorms, bridegrooms, broadlooms, bromals, bromates, bromegrass, bromegrasses, bromelains, bromeliads, bromelins, bromes, bromides, bromids, brominates, brominations, bromines, bromins, bromisms, bromizes, bromocriptines, bromos, bromouracils, bronchopneumonias, bronchospasms, broodmares, broomballers, broomballs, broomcorns, broomrapes, broughams, bryophyllums, budworms, buncombes, burgomasters, buxomness, buxomnesses

All words that fit BOMS
Round 9GRAEL8 words fit

starts with G and ends with L, with R then A then E in between, in that order.

graceful, grateful, gravel, greaseball, gastroesophageal, grandparental, grapnel, graupel

All words that fit GRAEL
Round 10DRERS177 words fit

starts with D and ends with S, with R then E then R in between, in that order.

depressors, destroyers, directors, disorders, drawers, dreamers, drinkers, drivers, druthers, dryers, daredevilries, daredeviltries, darers, darkeners, darners, darters, daydreamers, decarbonizers, decerebrates, decerebrations, decipherers, declarers, decolorizers, decreers, decriers, deerberries, deerstalkers, deferrers, deflowerers, deformers, defrauders, defrayers, defrosters, degraders, degreasers, dehorners, deliverers, demergers, demineralizers, democratizers, demographers, demoralizers, demurrers, denitrifiers, deodorizers, deplorers, depolarizers, depravers, depreciators, depredators, depressurizations, depressurizes, deprivers, deprogrammers, derailleurs, derepress, derepresses, derepressions, deriders, deringers, derivers, derrieres, derringers, describers, descriers, desecraters, deserters, deservers, desirers, despairers, destriers, detergers, determiners, deterrers, dethroners, devourers, dewaterers, dewormers, diastereoisomerisms, diastereoisomers, diastereomers, diffractometers, diffractometries, dihydroergotamines, directorates, directories, directorships, directress, directresses, directrices, directrixes, disapprovers, disarmers, disbursers, discarders, discerners, dischargers, discographers, discouragers, discoursers, discoverers, disgracers, dishonorers, disorderedness, disorderednesses, disorderliness, disorderlinesses, disparagers, dispersers, dispraisers, disregards, disremembers, disrepairs, disrobers, disrupters, distorters, distrainers, disturbers, ditherers, diversifiers, diverters, divorcers, dockworkers, dodderers, doorkeepers, dormers, dorpers, dorsers, dorsiventralities, dorsoventralities, drafters, draftspersons, draggers, dragsters, drainers, draperies, drapers, drawerfuls, drawlers, dreamworlds, drearies, dreariness, drearinesses, drears, dredgers, drenchers, dressers, dressmakers, dribblers, driers, drifters, drillers, drillmasters, drippers, drivelers, driverless, drivetrains, drolleries, dromedaries, droners, dropkickers, dropperfuls, droppers, droseras, drovers, drowners, drubbers, drudgeries, drudgers, drugmakers, drumbeaters, drummers, drysalteries, drysalters, dumortierites, dundrearies, durometers

All words that fit DRERS

Questions

What were the answers to Wordspine #1?
They're all above — every word that fits each spine, recognizable words first.
Can I still play this puzzle?
Pro days stay playable with an account. Sprint is today-only.
When do answers get published?
The day after the puzzle runs. Today's answers are never posted.