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Wordspine #16

Monday, September 7, 2026

Answers for puzzle #16. 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 TY. A word like tab looks close but doesn't count — it starts with T but ends with B, not Y. Order is the whole game.

Pro — four levels

Level 1TY647 words fit

starts with T and ends with Y.

tabby, tacky, taffy, talky, tally, tammy, tardy, tasty, tawdry, teary, technicality, technically, technology, teddy, teensy, teeny, telemetry, telepathically, telepathy, telly, temporarily, temporary, tenacity, tendency, terminology, terribly, terrifically, terrify, territory, terry … and 617 more

All words that fit TY

Scoring on this level: TABBY = 7 points, TELEPATHICALLY = 16 points.

Level 2MIT303 words fit

starts with M and ends with T, with I in between, in that order.

magnificent, makeshift, malignant, manifest, manuscript, merit, middleweight, midget, midnight, midst, might, militant, millet, milt, mincemeat, mindset, minimalist, mint, miscreant, misfit, misinterpret, misprint, misspent, mist, mistrust, mitt, moist, moonlight, moonlit, machinist … and 273 more

All words that fit MIT

Scoring on this level: MILT = 8 points, MIDDLEWEIGHT = 16 points.

Level 3MMNS126 words fit

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

mathematicians, measurements, membranes, mementos, misdemeanors, moments, movements, magnanimousness, magnanimousnesses, makimonos, maladjustments, maladministers, maladministrations, malapportionments, malformations, maltreatments, mammalians, mammonisms, mammonists, mammons, managements, manumissions, mapmakings, marksmanships, masterminds, matchmakings, mathematizations, matrimonies, maximins, maximizations … and 96 more

All words that fit MMNS

Scoring on this level: MOMENTS = 13 points, MALADMINISTRATIONS = 24 points.

Level 4PLESS299 words fit

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

painless, peerless, penniless, pleasantries, pleases, pleasures, pointless, poltergeists, powerless, priceless, paddlefishes, painfulness, painfulnesses, painlessness, painlessnesses, painterliness, painterlinesses, palatableness, palatablenesses, palatialness, palatialnesses, paleness, palenesses, paleoanthropologists, paleobiologists, paleobotanists, paleoclimatologists, paleoecologists, paleomagnetisms, paleomagnetists … and 269 more

All words that fit PLESS

Scoring on this level: PLEASES = 15 points, PALEOANTHROPOLOGISTS = 28 points.

Ranks on this day

  • Beginner0
  • Good Start28
  • Moving Up63
  • Good104
  • Solid173
  • Nice263
  • Great359
  • Genius483
  • Perfect690
Play this Pro day

Sprint — ten rounds

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

Round 1UH38 words fit

starts with U and ends with H.

ugh, umpteenth, unclench, underneath, unearth, unleash, unselfish, ultrahigh, ultrarich, ultrasmooth, umteenth, unactorish, unbookish, unbreech, unchurch, unclinch, uncouth, underbrush, undergrowth, understrength, unfaith, unhitch, unlash, unlatch, unmesh, unmodish, unrough, unstitch, unstylish, unteach, untruth, unwish, upgrowth, uppish, upreach, uprush, urolith, usquebaugh

All words that fit UH
Round 2PG945 words fit

starts with P and ends with G.

pacing, packing, padding, paddling, paging, painting, pampering, pandering, panicking, panting, parachuting, parading, paralyzing, parasailing, parenting, parking, participating, parting, partying, passing, patching, patrolling, patronizing, patting, paving, pawing, pawning, paying, pecking, pedaling, peddling, peeing, peeking, peeling, peeping, peering, peg, pelting, pending, penetrating, percolating, perfecting, performing, permitting, perpetuating, persecuting, pertaining, pestering, petitioning, petting, phasing, philandering, photographing, picketing, picking, picturing, piddling, piecing, piercing, pig, piling, pimping, pinching, ping, pining, pinning, piping, pissing, pitching, pitting, pitying, placing, plaguing, planing, planning, planting, plating, playing, plaything, pleading, pleasing, pleasuring, pledging, plotting, plowing, plucking, plug, plugging, plumbing, plummeting, plunging, poaching, pointing, poisoning, poking, policing, polishing, polling, polluting, pong, pooling, popping, poring, posing, positioning, possessing, posting, postponing, potting, pounding, pouring, pouting, powering, practicing, practising, praising, prancing, prattling, praying, preaching, preceding, predicting, preparing, prepping, prescribing, presenting, presiding, pressing, pressuring, presuming, pretending, preventing, preying, primping, printing, prioritizing, proceeding, processing, prodding, producing, profiling, programming, progressing, projecting, prolong, promising, promoting, prompting, proofing, proposing, propositioning, propping, prosecuting, protecting, protesting, protruding, providing, proving, provoking, pruning, prying, publishing, pudding, puffing, pug, puking, pulling, pulsating, pumping, punching, punishing, purchasing, purging, pursuing, pushing, putting, puzzling, pacemaking, pacesetting, pacifying, packaging, packeting, paddocking, padlocking, padnag, paganising, paganizing, paginating, paiking, paining, painkilling, painstaking, pairing, palatalizing, palavering, paling, palisading, palletising, palletizing, palliating, palling, palming, palpating, palpitating, palsying, paltering, pamphleteering, panbroiling, pancaking, pandying, paneling, panelling, panfrying, pang, panging, panhandling, panning, pantomiming, paperhanging, papering, papermaking, paradropping, paraffining, paragliding, paragoning, paragraphing, paralleling, parallelling, paralysing, parameterizing, parametrizing, parang, paraphrasing, parasang, parasitising, parasitizing, parawing, parboiling, parbuckling, parceling … and 705 more

All words that fit PG
Round 3SED1543 words fit

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

sabotaged, sacred, sacrificed, saddened, saddled, safeguard, sailed, salted, saluted, salvaged, sampled, sanctioned, sanded, satisfied, saturated, saved, savored, sawed, scaled, scalped, scammed, scampered, scanned, scared, scarred, scattered, scented, scheduled, schemed, schooled, scolded, scooped, scorched, scoreboard, scored, scorned, scoured, scouted, scrambled, scraped, scrapped, scratched, screamed, screened, screwed, scribbled, scripted, scrubbed, scrutinized, scuttled, seaboard, seafood, sealed, searched, seared, seasoned, seated, seaweed, secluded, second, seconded, secured, sedated, seduced, seed, seemed, seized, selected, send, sensed, sentenced, separated, sequestered, sequined, served, serviced, settled, severed, sewed, shackled, shafted, shagged, shamed, shanghaied, shaped, shared, sharpened, shattered, shaved, shed, shelled, sheltered, shepherd, shield, shielded, shifted, shipped, shipwrecked, shithead, shocked, shopped, shorted, shorthanded, shortsighted, shouted, shoved, shoveled, showed, showered, shred, shredded, shrewd, shriveled, shrugged, shuffled, shunned, sicced, sickened, sideboard, sided, sidetracked, sighted, signaled, signed, silenced, simulated, singed, sinned, sipped, sisterhood, situated, sized, skateboard, skated, skewed, skewered, skidded, skied, skilled, skimmed, skinned, skipped, slammed, slanted, slapped, slashed, slated, slaughtered, slaved, slayed, sled, sleepyhead, sliced, slighted, slipped, slithered, sloshed, slowed, slugged, slumped, smacked, smashed, smeared, smelled, smiled, smoked, smothered, smudged, smuggled, snagged, snapped, snatched, sneaked, sneezed, sniffed, snorted, snowballed, snowed, snubbed, snuggled, soaked, soared, sobered, socialized, socked, soiled, solenoid, solicited, solved, sophisticated, sorted, sounded, spaced, spanked, spared, sparked, spawned, specialized, specified, speed, spelled, spend, spied, spiked, spilled, spirited, splendid, spliced, spoiled, sponsored, spooked, spotted, sprained, sprawled, sprayed, spread, sprinkled, sprouted, spurred, squandered, squared, squashed, squealed, squeezed, squished, stabbed, stabilized, stacked, staffed, staged, staggered, stained, staked, stalked, stalled, stamped, standardized, stapled, stared, starred … and 1303 more

All words that fit SED
Round 4STE694 words fit

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

sabotage, salute, satellite, satire, scottie, scripture, sculpture, secretive, sedate, sedative, seductive, selective, senate, sensitive, sentence, separate, servitude, settle, shortage, shortcake, shuttle, signature, simulate, site, skate, slate, slaughterhouse, smartphone, smite, smoothie, snakebite, socialite, software, solitaire, solitude, sometime, soothe, soundstage, spate, spectacle, spectre, speculate, speculative, spite, spitfire, springtime, sprite, stabilize, stable, stage, staircase, stake, stale, stalemate, stampede, stance, staple, stare, startle, starve, state, stateside, statewide, statue, stature, statute, stave, steerage, steppe, stereotype, sterile, sterilize, stethoscope, stifle, stipulate, stockpile, stoke, stole, stomachache, stone, stooge, stoolie, storage, store, stove, straddle, strange, strangle, strategize, stride, strife, strike, stripe, striptease, strive, strobe, stroke, structure, struggle, strychnine, stubble, stumble, style, subcommittee, subjective, subordinate, substance, substantiate, substantive, substitute, subterfuge, subtitle, subtle, suffocate, suggestive, suitable, suitcase, suite, summertime, sunstroke, suppertime, supportive, surrogate, susceptible, sustenance, sweetie, switchblade, symbiote, sympathize, syndicate, synthesize, sacahuiste, saccate, sacculate, saddletree, sagittate, saintlike, saithe, salicylate, salivate, saltie, saltine, saltire, saltlike, samarskite, samite, sanative, sanctionable, sandcastle, sandstone, sanitate, sanitise, sanitize, sansculotte, saponite, sapote, saprolite, saprophyte, sate, satiable, satiate, satirise, satirizable, satirize, satisfiable, saturable, saturate, saturnine, saute, sauterne, sautoire, savate, saxatile, scapolite, scathe, sceptre, scheelite, schematize, schismatize, schistose, schistosome, scholasticate, schoolmate, schooltime, schottische, scientize, scintillae, scintillate, sclerite, scolecite, scrutable, scrutinise, scrutinize, sculpturesque, scutage, scutate, scute, scutellate, scuttle, scyphate, scyphistomae, scythe, seatmate, secretagogue, secrete, sectarianize, sectile, securitize, sedimentable, seecatchie, seedtime, seethe, segregate, segregative, selectable, selectee, selenate, selenite, semiconservative, semicrystalline, semiliterate, semimatte, semimute, semiparasite, semiprivate, semiquantitative, semitone, senectitude, sensate, sensationalise, sensationalize, sensitise, sensitize, sente, sententiae, sentience, sentimentalise, sentimentalize, separative, sepiolite … and 454 more

All words that fit STE
Round 5SLN190 words fit

starts with S and ends with N, with L in between, in that order.

salesman, salesmen, salesperson, saleswoman, salmon, salon, saloon, salvation, seclusion, selection, selectman, silken, simpleton, simulation, singleton, sirloin, skeleton, slogan, solemn, solicitation, solution, speculation, spleen, stallion, stimulation, stipulation, stolen, strangulation, sullen, sultan, swollen, sacculation, salaryman, salarymen, saleswomen, salicin, salinization, salivation, salpian, saltation, saltern, saltpan, salutation, salutatorian, salvarsan, saturnalian, scalepan, scallion, schlieren, schoolchildren, schoolman, schoolmen, schuln, scintillation, scleroprotein, sclerotin, sclerotization, scullion, sculpin, sealskin, secularization, selachian, selectmen, selsyn, semicolon, semiporcelain, sensualization, sentimentalization, septendecillion, septillion, serialization, sesquipedalian, sexdecillion, sexploitation, sextillion, sexualization, shalloon, shuln, sialidan, sibilation, signalization, signalman, signalmen, silicification, silicon, siltation, silvan, silvern, simlin, simoleon, simplification, slacken, slain, slattern, sleeken, slidden, sloven, slowdown, slumgullion, slumpflation, slurban, socialization, solan, solanin, solarization, solation, soldan, solemnization, solidification, solifluction, solion, soliton, solitudinarian, solmization, solon, solubilization, solvation, somnambulation, spallation, spalpeen, specialisation, specialization, spelaean, spelean, spiculation, spiegeleisen, spilikin, spillikin, spiritualization, splashdown, spleuchan, spoilsman, spoilsmen, spoliation, sporopollenin, sporulation, stabilization, stableman, stablemen, stagflation, stepchildren, sterilization, stillborn, stillman, stillmen, stollen, stolon, streptolysin, stridulation, strobilation, structuralization, stultification, stylization, suballocation, subaltern, subclan, subclassification, subclavian, subcollection, sublation, sublibrarian, sublimation, subluxation, subpopulation, subtilin, subtilisin, subtilization, subvocalization, suldan, sulfonation, superaltern, supercivilization, superclean, superelevation, superlain, superovulation, supersalesman, supersalesmen, superspecialization, superspeculation, supplantation, supplementation, suppletion, supplication, syllabication, syllabification, sylvan, sylvin, symbolization, synchrocyclotron

All words that fit SLN
Round 6BOMG23 words fit

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

becoming, blooming, bombarding, bombing, boomerang, brainstorming, barnstorming, beachcombing, beglooming, bevomiting, beworming, blossoming, bombinating, bookmaking, bookmarking, boomeranging, booming, bosoming, bottoming, bromating, brominating, bromizing, brooming

All words that fit BOMG
Round 7SERS1864 words fit

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

sabers, safeguards, sanders, saucers, scanners, scenarios, seamstress, searches, sears, secretaries, secrets, sectors, securities, seekers, seizures, seminars, senators, seniors, sensors, separates, series, serious, seriousness, sermons, servants, servers, serves, services, servings, sesterces, sewers, shakers, sharpshooters, shelters, shepherds, shivers, shooters, shoplifters, shoulders, showers, shutters, sideburns, singers, sinners, sisters, sitters, skateboards, skaters, skeeters, skyscrapers, slackers, slanderous, slayers, sleepers, sleepovers, slippers, smackers, smears, smithereens, smithers, smokers, smugglers, snatchers, sneakers, snickers, snipers, soldiers, somewheres, sorcerers, souvenirs, spareribs, sparklers, speakers, spears, spectators, spencers, spiders, splinters, spotters, sprinklers, squatters, staffers, stalkers, starters, stereotypes, steroids, stewardess, stewardesses, stewards, stickers, stockbrokers, stockholders, strangers, strawberries, strippers, suckers, suffers, summers, sunflowers, superfluous, superheroes, superiors, supermarkets, superpowers, superstars, superstitious, surfers, surgeries, suspenders, swears, sweaters, sweatshirts, sweetbreads, sweethearts, swimmers, swingers, sabermetricians, sabermetrics, saboteurs, saccharimeters, saccharometers, sacerdotalisms, sacerdotalists, sackers, sacrificers, saddlebreds, saddleries, saddlers, saddletrees, safecrackers, safecrackings, safflowers, sagebrushes, saggers, sailboaters, sailers, sailplaners, sakers, salamanders, saleratus, saleratuses, salerooms, salesclerks, salesgirls, salespersons, salesrooms, salinometers, salliers, salmonberries, salometers, saltcellars, salterns, salters, saltiers, saltpeters, saltshakers, saluters, salutiferous, salvagers, salvers, samplers, sanctifiers, sandbaggers, sandblasters, sanderlings, sandlotters, sandpapers, sandpipers, sangers, sanserifs, sansevierias, saponifiers, sappers, sapsuckers, sarcomeres, sauerbratens, sauerkrauts, saugers, saunterers, saunters, sauternes, savageries, savers, savorers, savourers, sawers, sawtimbers, sawyers, sayers, scalers, scallopers, scalpers, scammers, scampers, scandalmongerings, scandalmongers, scapegraces, scarecrows, scaremongers, scarers, scarifiers, scarpers, scatterations, scatterbrains, scatterers, scattergoods, scattergrams, scatterguns, scatterings, scatters, scaupers, scavengers, scenarists, sceneries, sceneshifters, scenographers, scenographies, scepters, sceptres, schadenfreudes, schedulers, schemers, scherzandos, scherzos, schillers, schipperkes, schlockmeisters, schmears, schmeers, schnauzers, schnorrers, schoolmasters, schoolteachers, schooners, schussboomers, schussers, schwarmereis, scimetars, scimiters, scintillometers … and 1624 more

All words that fit SERS
Round 8RAKE20 words fit

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

rake, rattlesnake, remake, remarkable, retake, rackle, rainbowlike, rakee, rampike, ramshackle, rankle, ranpike, rashlike, ratlike, raylike, reawake, reawoke, repackage, retackle, rewake

All words that fit RAKE
Round 9DETED235 words fit

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

deathbed, debated, decapitated, decorated, decrypted, dedicated, deducted, defeated, defected, deflated, dehydrated, deleted, delighted, demented, demonstrated, demoted, departed, depicted, deported, deposited, deputized, desecrated, deserted, designated, destined, destroyed, detached, detailed, detained, detected, deteriorated, determined, detonated, devastated, deviated, devoted, digested, directed, disconnected, disinherited, disintegrated, disoriented, disrespected, dissected, diverted, documented, domesticated, daguerreotyped, deactivated, deadlifted, deaerated, dealated, deaminated, debilitated, debited, debuted, decaffeinated, decanted, decarbonated, decarboxylated, decelerated, decentered, decentralized, decentred, decerebrated, decertified, dechlorinated, decimated, decocted, decollated, decompensated, deconcentrated, deconditioned, decongested, deconsecrated, deconstructed, decontaminated, decontrolled, decorticated, decremented, decrepitated, decussated, dedifferentiated, deescalated, defalcated, defatted, defaulted, defecated, defenestrated, defibrillated, defibrinated, definitized, deflagrated, deflected, defoliated, deforested, defrosted, degenerated, deglaciated, degusted, dehorted, dehydrochlorinated, dehydrogenated, deindustrialized, deinstitutionalized, dejected, delaminated, delated, delegated, deliberated, delimited, delineated, delisted, delustered, demagnetized, demarcated, demasted, dematerialized, demerited, demilitarized, demitted, democratized, demodulated, demonetized, demounted, demystified, demythologized, denationalized, denaturalized, denatured, denervated, denigrated, denitrified, denominated, denoted, dentated, dented, denticulated, dentiled, denudated, deorbited, deoxygenated, depainted, departmentalized, dephosphorylated, depilated, depleted, depoliticized, depopulated, deprecated, depreciated, depredated, depurated, deputed, deracinated, derated, deratted, deregulated, derivatized, derogated, desalinated, desalted, descanted, desegregated, deselected, desensitized, desiccated, desiderated, desisted, desolated, despatched, despiritualized, despited, desquamated, destabilized, destained, destructed, detasseled, detasselled, deterged, deterred, detested, dethroned, deticked, detoured, detoxed, detoxicated, detoxified, detracted, detrained, detribalized, detruded, deuterated, devaluated, devested, devitalized, devitrified, dewatered, dieted, differentiated, dipnetted, disaffected, disaggregated, discepted, disconcerted, discontented, discredited, disenchanted, disentailed, disentangled, disenthralled, disentitled, disequilibrated, disestablished, disesteemed, disheartened, disherited, disinfected, disinfested, disinterested, disinvested, disjected, disorientated, disquieted, disrelated, disseated, disseminated, dissented, dissertated, disserted, divested, docketed, dovetailed, downhearted, duetted

All words that fit DETED
Round 10CUTRS261 words fit

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

calculators, clusters, computers, contributors, countries, courtrooms, cultures, customers, cutters, calumniators, calutrons, carburetors, carburetters, carburettors, casuistries, cauteries, cauterizations, cauterizes, charcuteries, chaunters, chemoautotrophies, chunters, ciguateras, circuitries, circulators, circumcenters, circumnavigators, citricultures, citriculturists, claustrophobes, claustrophobias, clouters, clutters, coadjutors, coadjutrices, coauthors, coauthorships, cocultures, cocurators, coexecutors, combustors, communicators, communitarianisms, communitarians, commutators, commuters, compurgators, computerdoms, computereses, computerises, computerists, computerizations, computerizes, computerless, computerniks, computerphobes, computerphobias, conductors, conductress, conductresses, confabulators, confuters, congratulators, conjunctures, conquistadores, conquistadors, constructors, consulters, consultors, consummators, continuators, coquetries, corrupters, corruptors, coulometers, coulometries, coulters, countenancers, counteraccusations, counteractions, counteracts, counteradaptations, counteradvertisings, counteragents, counteraggressions, counterargues, counterarguments, counterassaults, counterattackers, counterattacks, counterbalances, counterbids, counterblasts, counterblockades, counterblows, countercampaigns, counterchanges, countercharges, counterchecks, counterclaims, countercomplaints, counterconditionings, counterconspiracies, counterconventions, countercountermeasures, countercoups, countercries, countercriticisms, counterculturalisms, countercultures, counterculturists, countercurrents, counterdemands, counterdemonstrates, counterdemonstrations, counterdemonstrators, counterdeployments, counterefforts, counterespionages, counterevidences, counterexamples, counterfeiters, counterfeits, counterfires, counterflows, counterfoils, counterforces, countergovernments, counterguerillas, counterguerrillas, counterhypotheses, counterhypothesis, counterimages, counterincentives, counterinfluences, counterinstances, counterinstitutions, counterinsurgencies, counterinsurgents, counterintelligences, counterinterpretations, counterions, counterirritants, countermands, countermarches, countermeasures, countermelodies, countermemos, countermines, countermobilizations, countermovements, countermoves, countermyths, counteroffensives, counteroffers, counterorders, counterpanes, counterparts, counterpetitions, counterpickets, counterplans, counterplayers, counterplays, counterpleas, counterplots, counterploys, counterpoints, counterpoises, counterposes, counterpowers, counterpressures, counterprogrammings, counterprojects, counterpropagandas, counterproposals, counterprotests, counterpunchers, counterpunches, counterquestions, counterraids, counterrallies, counterreactions, counterreformations, counterreformers, counterreforms, counterresponses, counterretaliations, counterrevolutionaries, counterrevolutions, counters, countershadings, countershots, countersignatures, countersigns, countersinks, countersnipers, counterspells, counterspies, counterstains, counterstatements, counterstates, countersteps, counterstrategies, counterstrategists, counterstreams, counterstrikes, counterstrokes, counterstyles, countersues, countersuggestions, countersuits, countersurveillances, countertactics, countertendencies, countertenors, counterterrorisms, counterterrorists, counterterrors, counterthreats, counterthrusts, countertops, countertrades, countertraditions, countertransferences, countertrends, countervails, counterviews, counterviolences, counterweights, counterworlds, countryseats, countrysides, courters, courtiers, courtyards, couters, coutures, couturieres, couturiers, cubatures … and 21 more

All words that fit CUTRS

Questions

What were the answers to Wordspine #16?
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.