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Wordspine #12

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Answers for puzzle #12. 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 BR. A word like baa looks close but doesn't count — it starts with B but ends with A, not R. Order is the whole game.

Pro — four levels

Level 1BR572 words fit

starts with B and ends with R.

babysitter, bachelor, backdoor, backer, badder, baker, baller, ballplayer, banister, banker, banner, bannister, banter, bar, barber, barker, barometer, barrier, barrister, bartender, barter, batter, bazaar, bear, bearer, beater, beaver, beeper, beer, beggar … and 542 more

All words that fit BR

Scoring on this level: BAR = 5 points, BABYSITTER = 12 points.

Level 2ESS997 words fit

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

eases, effectiveness, effortless, eggshells, embarrass, embarrasses, embassies, emissions, emphasis, empress, emptiness, endless, endorsements, enterprises, episodes, erasers, erases, escapades, escapes, escorts, esophagus, espressos, ess, essays, establishes, establishments, estimates, euphemisms, evasions, excess … and 967 more

All words that fit ESS

Scoring on this level: ESS = 7 points, ESTABLISHMENTS = 18 points.

Level 3ESIE67 words fit

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

elusive, emphasize, espionage, estimate, evasive, excessive, exclusive, exhaustive, expensive, explosive, expressive, exquisite, extensive, earthshine, ecclesiae, ectoparasite, effusive, egestive, electroconvulsive, electropositive, emissive, emphasise, emulsifiable, emulsive, endoparasite, ensanguine, enshrine, enshrinee, ensilage, ensile … and 37 more

All words that fit ESIE

Scoring on this level: ENSILE = 12 points, ELECTROCONVULSIVE = 23 points.

Level 4RTION260 words fit

starts with R and ends with N, with T then I then O in between, in that order.

radiation, ration, reaction, realization, reception, recitation, recognition, recollection, recommendation, reconciliation, recreation, recrimination, redemption, reduction, reelection, reflection, regeneration, registration, regulation, rehabilitation, rejection, relation, relaxation, relocation, renovation, repetition, representation, reproduction, reputation, requisition … and 230 more

All words that fit RTION

Scoring on this level: RATION = 14 points, RECOMMENDATION = 22 points.

Ranks on this day

  • Beginner0
  • Good Start26
  • Moving Up58
  • Good96
  • Solid160
  • Nice244
  • Great333
  • Genius448
  • Perfect640
Play this Pro day

Sprint — ten rounds

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

Round 1FM90 words fit

starts with F and ends with M.

fanaticism, farm, fascism, fathom, favoritism, fiefdom, film, firestorm, firm, foam, forearm, form, forum, freedom, from, fulcrum, facepalm, factionalism, factotum, factualism, faddism, fairyism, falciform, familism, fandom, fantasm, fantom, fanum, faradism, fatalism, fauvism, favism, federalism, fem, feminism, ferbam, fermium, ferrimagnetism, ferromagnetism, ferrum, fetichism, fetishism, feudalism, feuilletonism, fideism, filiform, filmdom, filum, finalism, firearm, fireroom, fireworm, fishworm, flabelliform, flabellum, flagellantism, flagellum, flam, flatworm, fleam, flimflam, florilegium, flotsam, fluidram, fogyism, folium, foram, foreboom, foredoom, foreignism, formalism, fraenum, francium, fraternalism, freeform, freneticism, frenulum, frenum, frustum, fulham, fullam, funambulism, functionalism, fundamentalism, fungiform, funnelform, furculum, fusiform, futilitarianism, futurism

All words that fit FM
Round 2HS2549 words fit

starts with H and ends with S.

habits, hackers, hacks, hades, haggis, hags, hails, haircuts, hairdressers, hairless, hairs, hairstyles, halitosis, halls, hallucinations, hallways, halves, hamburgers, hammers, hams, hamsters, handbags, handcuffs, handguns, handles, handouts, hands, hangers, hangouts, hangovers, hangs, hanks, happenings, happens, happiness, haps, harass, harbors, hardens, harmless, harmonious, harms, harness, harpies, harpoons, harps, harriers, harts, has, hashtags, hatches, hates, hats, hauls, haunts, hawks, hazardous, hazards, headaches, headdress, headless, headlights, headlines, headphones, headquarters, heads, headsets, healers, heals, heaps, hearings, hears, heartbeats, heartless, hearts, heathens, heats, heavens, heckles, hedges, heels, heights, heinous, heiress, heirlooms, heirs, helicopters, hells, helmets, helms, helpers, helpless, helplessness, helps, hemlines, hemorrhoids, hens, hepatitis, herbs, hercules, herds, hernias, heroes, heroics, herpes, hers, hesitates, hexes, hiatus, hibiscus, hiccups, hicks, hideous, hides, hieroglyphs, highlands, highlighters, highlights, highness, highs, highways, hijinks, hikers, hilarious, hillbillies, hills, hinges, hints, hippies, hippopotamus, hippos, hips, hires, his, hiss, hisses, histories, hitchhikers, hits, hitters, hives, hoaxes, hobbies, hobbits, hoboes, hocks, hocus, hoes, hogs, holders, holdings, holds, holes, holidays, holies, holiness, hollers, hombres, homeboys, homeless, homeowners, homers, homes, homicides, homos, homosexuals, honeymooners, honeymoons, honks, honors, honours, hoodlums, hookers, hooks, hooligans, hoops, hooters, hooves, hopeless, hopelessness, hopes, hops, hordes, horizons, hormones, hornets, horns, horoscopes, horrendous, horrors, horses, hoses, hospitals, hostages, hostess, hostiles, hostilities, hosts, hotcakes, hotdogs, hotels, hots, hounds, hourglass, hours, houseguests, households, houses, housewives, hows, hubcaps, hubris, huggers, hugs, humans, humiliates, humiliations, hummus, humorless, humps, hums, humus, hunches, hundreds, hunks, huns, hunters, hurdles, hurricanes, hurts, husbands, huskies, husks, huts, hybrids, hydraulics, hyenas, hymns, hypnosis, hypocrites … and 2309 more

All words that fit HS
Round 3PSS2170 words fit

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

painless, paralysis, parasites, parishioners, parsons, partnerships, pass, passages, passageways, passengers, passes, passions, passports, pastels, pasties, pasts, pastures, pauses, pedestrians, peerless, penises, penniless, pensioners, pensions, persists, personalities, personals, persons, perspectives, pesos, pesticides, pests, phases, pheasants, philosophers, philosophies, phosphorous, phrases, physicals, physicists, physics, piss, pisses, pistachios, pistols, pistons, pleasantries, pleases, pleasures, pluses, podcasts, pointless, poisonous, poisons, poltergeists, poses, posies, positions, positives, posses, possess, possesses, possessions, possibilities, postcards, posters, posts, powerless, praises, predecessors, premises, preposterous, prescribes, prescriptions, presents, preservatives, preserves, presets, presidents, press, presses, pressures, prestigious, presumptuous, pretenses, priceless, priests, princess, princesses, prisoners, prisons, priss, process, processes, processors, profess, professionals, professors, prognosis, progress, progresses, promiscuous, promises, proposals, proposes, prosecutors, prospects, prostitutes, protestants, protesters, protestors, protests, provisions, prowess, psychiatrists, psychoanalysis, psychologists, psychopaths, psychos, psychosis, psychotics, publishers, pulses, punishes, punishments, purchases, purposes, pursuits, pushers, pushes, puss, pussies, pacesetters, pachisis, pachysandras, pacificisms, pacificists, pacifisms, pacifists, packhorses, packinghouses, packness, packnesses, packsacks, packsaddles, paddlefishes, padishahs, padshahs, paduasoys, paeanisms, paedogeneses, paedogenesis, paedomorphisms, paedomorphoses, paedomorphosis, paesanos, paesans, paganises, paganisms, paganists, painfulness, painfulnesses, painlessness, painlessnesses, painstakings, paintbrushes, painterliness, painterlinesses, paisanas, paisanos, paisans, paisas, paisleys, palatableness, palatablenesses, palatialness, palatialnesses, paleness, palenesses, paleoanthropologists, paleobiologists, paleobotanists, paleoclimatologists, paleoecologists, paleomagnetisms, paleomagnetists, paleontologists, paleopathologists, paleosols, paleozoologists, palestras, palimpsests, palindromists, palingeneses, palingenesis, palisades, palletises, palliasses, pallidness, pallidnesses, palmistries, palmists, palsgraves, palships, palsies, paltriness, paltrinesses, paludisms, palynologists, pancreases, pandanuses, panegyrists, panelists, panfishes, pangeneses, pangenesis, panmixises, pansexualities, pansies, pansophies, pantdress, pantdresses, pantheisms, pantheists, pantisocracies, pantisocratists, pantomimists, pantsuits, pantywaists, paperiness, paperinesses, paperless, papillomaviruses, papistries, papists, papooses, papovaviruses, pappooses, papyrologists, papyruses … and 1930 more

All words that fit PSS
Round 4HLK17 words fit

starts with H and ends with K, with L in between, in that order.

halfback, hallmark, headlock, hemlock, hulk, hairlock, halfbeak, halterbreak, hammerlock, havelock, herrenvolk, hillock, holdback, holk, hollyhock, houseleek, hyperlink

All words that fit HLK
Round 5SER1230 words fit

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

saber, sadder, safer, salamander, saltwater, sandpaper, saucer, saver, sawyer, sayer, scalper, scanner, scarier, scatter, scavenger, scepter, schiller, schnauzer, schoolteacher, schooner, scooter, scorcher, scrambler, screamer, screwdriver, sear, sector, seeker, seer, seller, seltzer, semester, seminar, senator, sender, senior, senor, sensor, ser, server, sever, sewer, sexier, shaker, shareholder, sharpener, sharper, shatter, shaver, shear, sheer, shelter, shifter, shimmer, shiver, shocker, shoemaker, shooter, shopkeeper, shoplifter, shopper, shorter, shoulder, shower, showstopper, shredder, sicker, sidebar, sidecar, sidewinder, silver, simmer, simpler, singer, sinister, sinker, sinner, sister, sitter, skater, skewer, skier, skinner, skipper, skyscraper, slacker, slammer, slander, slasher, slater, slaughter, slayer, sledgehammer, sleeper, sleepover, slender, slicer, slicker, slider, slimmer, slipper, slither, sliver, slower, slugger, slumber, smaller, smarter, smear, smoker, smoother, smother, smuggler, snapper, snatcher, sneaker, sneer, snicker, snifter, sniper, sober, soccer, softener, softer, soldier, somber, songwriter, sooner, soothsayer, souvenir, speaker, spear, spectacular, spectator, specter, speedometer, speller, spencer, spender, spider, spinner, spinster, splatter, splendor, splinter, spoiler, sportswear, spotter, springer, sprinkler, spritzer, squander, squatter, staffer, stagger, stalker, stamper, stapler, starter, stealer, steamer, steamroller, steer, stellar, stenographer, stepfather, stepmother, sterner, sticker, stickler, stiffer, stifler, stinger, stockbroker, stockholder, stomper, stoner, stranger, strangler, streetcar, streetwalker, stretcher, stripper, stroller, stronger, strummer, stumper, stupider, stutter, sucker, suffer, summer, sunflower, super, supercollider, superior, superpower, superstar, supervisor, supper, supplier, supporter, surfer, surrender, swear, sweater, sweeper, sweeter, swimmer, saboteur, saccharimeter, saccharometer, sacker, sacrificer, saddler, safecracker, safflower, sager, sagger, saggier, sagier, sailboater, sailer, sailplaner, saintlier, saker, salinometer, sallier, sallower, salometer, saltcellar, salter, saltier, saltpeter, saltshaker, saluter, salvager, salver, sampler, sanctifier … and 990 more

All words that fit SER
Round 6ATIN284 words fit

starts with A and ends with N, with T then I in between, in that order.

abduction, aberration, abomination, abortion, absolution, absorption, abstain, acceleration, accommodation, accumulation, accusation, acquisition, actin, action, activation, actualization, addiction, addition, administration, admiration, admonition, adoption, adoration, affection, affiliation, aggravation, agitation, alienation, allegation, alliteration, alteration, altercation, ambition, ammunition, amputation, animation, annihilation, anticipation, antivenin, apparition, application, appreciation, approximation, arbitration, asphyxiation, assassination, association, assumption, attain, attention, attraction, auction, audition, augmentation, authorization, aviation, abbreviation, abdication, abjection, abjuration, ablation, ablution, abnegation, abolition, abreaction, abrogation, abruption, abstention, abstraction, abutilon, accentuation, acceptation, acclamation, acclimation, acclimatization, accreditation, accretion, acculturation, accustomation, acetaminophen, acetification, acetin, acetophenetidin, acetylation, acidification, acidulation, acoustician, actinian, actinomycin, actinon, actomyosin, actuation, acylation, adaptation, adaption, adduction, adjudication, adjunction, adjuration, adnation, adrenocorticotrophin, adrenocorticotropin, adsorption, adulation, adulteration, adumbration, advection, advocation, aeration, aerosolization, aesthetician, aestivation, affectation, affirmation, affixation, affliction, afforestation, aflatoxin, agglomeration, agglutination, agglutinin, agglutinogen, aggradation, aggregation, agnation, alation, aldolization, alimentation, alkalinization, alkylation, allantoin, allegorization, allethrin, alleviation, alloantigen, allocation, allocution, alphabetization, alternation, amalgamation, amanitin, ambulation, amelioration, aminopterin, ammoniation, ammonification, amortization, amotion, amplification, amylopectin, anagrammatization, analyzation, anatoxin, angiotensin, anglicization, angulation, animalization, annexation, annotation, annulation, annunciation, anodization, antediluvian, anthelion, anthemion, anthocyanin, anthropomorphization, antiabortion, antiadministration, antiaggression, antialien, antiarin, antiassimilation, antiauthoritarian, antiauxin, antibaryon, anticarcinogen, anticodon, anticollision, anticonservation, anticorrosion, anticorruption, antidefamation, antidepression, antidesegregation, antidesertification, antidilution, antidiscrimination, antiegalitarian, antielectron, antiestrogen, antievolution, antifashion, antiforeign, antifriction, antigen, antiglobulin, antigun, antihuman, antihumanitarian, antilepton, antilibertarian, antiman, antimiscegenation, antimodern, antimycin, antineutron, antinomian, antinucleon, antiorganization, antiphon, antipodean, antipollution, antiporn, antiprostitution, antiproton, antiquarian, antiquation, antirecession, antireflection, antirejection, antireligion, antisegregation, antispeculation, antisubversion, antithrombin, antitotalitarian, antitoxin, antiunion, antiurban, antivitamin, antivivisection, antiwoman, antlion, apolipoprotein, appellation, apperception, appertain, apportion, apposition … and 44 more

All words that fit ATIN
Round 7LRDS70 words fit

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

landlords, leopards, leotards, lizards, lords, lovebirds, labradorites, labradors, labroids, labyrinthodonts, lacertids, ladybirds, laggardness, laggardnesses, laggards, lairds, lampyrids, landlordisms, landwards, laniards, lanyards, lapboards, larboards, larders, lardons, lardoons, lards, largeheartedness, largeheartednesses, larvicides, laryngitides, learnedness, learnednesses, leatherwoods, leeboards, leewards, leftwards, legerdemains, lemuroids, leopardess, leopardesses, leporids, letterheads, liards, lifeguards, lightheartedness, lightheartednesses, linebreedings, linerboards, lipopolysaccharides, lipreadings, lipreads, loanwords, loggerheads, lordings, lordless, lordliness, lordlinesses, lordlings, lordomas, lordoses, lordosis, lordships, lowriders, lumberyards, lurdanes, lurdans, luridness, luridnesses, lyrebirds

All words that fit LRDS
Round 8FNAL34 words fit

starts with F and ends with L, with N then A in between, in that order.

fictional, final, financial, fingernail, fraternal, frontal, functional, fundamental, funeral, fungal, factional, fanatical, fantail, fantastical, faunal, fenestral, fentanyl, finial, finical, firmamental, fissional, fluctuational, fluxional, fontal, fontanel, foraminal, foraminiferal, fornical, foundational, fractional, fragmental, frictional, funereal, fungicidal

All words that fit FNAL
Round 9NICES65 words fit

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

niceties, nickels, nicknames, nieces, notices, navicerts, negligences, nematicides, neocortices, nephrotoxicities, nesciences, neurosciences, neurotoxicities, niacinamides, niccolites, niceness, nicenesses, niches, nickeliferous, nickelodeons, nickers, nickles, nicknamers, nicotinamides, nicotines, nictates, nictitates, nightclothes, nightclubbers, nightscopes, nincompooperies, nitchies, nitpickers, nitrocelluloses, nitroglycerines, nitroglycerins, nonarchitectures, nonbelligerencies, noncandidacies, noncoincidences, noncompliances, nonconfidences, nondisclosures, nonequivalences, nonevidences, nonexistences, nonincumbents, nonindependences, noninfluences, noninsurances, nonintercourses, noninterferences, nonresidences, nonresidencies, nonresistances, nonsciences, nonsensicalness, nonsensicalnesses, nonviolences, nosepieces, noticeboards, noticers, novices, nucleophilicities, nuisances

All words that fit NICES
Round 10CRFUL7 words fit

starts with C and ends with L, with R then F then U in between, in that order.

careful, cheerful, colorful, carful, centrifugal, characterful, counterfactual

All words that fit CRFUL

Questions

What were the answers to Wordspine #12?
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.