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Wordspine #28

Saturday, September 19, 2026

Answers for puzzle #28. 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 SD. A word like sabbath looks close but doesn't count — it starts with S but ends with H, not D. Order is the whole game.

Pro — four levels

Level 1SD1716 words fit

starts with S and ends with D.

sabotaged, sacred, sacrificed, sad, saddened, saddled, safeguard, said, sailed, salad, salted, saluted, salvaged, sampled, sanctioned, sand, sandalwood, sanded, satisfied, saturated, saved, savored, sawed, scald, scaled, scalped, scammed, scampered, scanned, scared … and 1686 more

All words that fit SD

Scoring on this level: SAD = 5 points, SACRIFICED = 12 points.

Level 2PAE793 words fit

starts with P and ends with E, with A in between, in that order.

pace, package, paddle, padre, page, palace, pale, palette, palpable, panache, pancake, pane, panhandle, pantyhose, parable, parachute, parade, paradise, paralyze, parasite, pare, parole, participate, particle, partridge, passable, passage, passionate, passive, paste … and 763 more

All words that fit PAE

Scoring on this level: PACE = 8 points, PARTICIPATE = 15 points.

Level 3STEN92 words fit

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

seventeen, shorten, sixteen, smitten, soften, southern, statesmen, stein, stepson, stern, stolen, straighten, strengthen, strewn, stricken, sturgeon, subterranean, safetymen, saltern, sateen, sauerbraten, scatteration, scatterbrain, scattergun, scleroprotein, scutcheon, selectmen, sentimentalization, septendecillion, septentrion … and 62 more

All words that fit STEN

Scoring on this level: STEIN = 11 points, SENTIMENTALIZATION = 24 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 Up57
  • Good95
  • Solid158
  • Nice240
  • Great328
  • Genius441
  • Perfect630
Play this Pro day

Sprint — ten rounds

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

Round 1AG517 words fit

starts with A and ends with G.

abandoning, abducting, abiding, absorbing, abusing, accelerating, accepting, accessing, accommodating, accompanying, accomplishing, according, accounting, accusing, achieving, aching, acing, acting, activating, adapting, adding, addressing, adjusting, administering, admiring, admitting, adopting, adoring, advancing, advertising, advising, advocating, affecting, affirming, ageing, aggravating, aging, agonizing, agreeing, aiding, ailing, aiming, airing, alarming, alerting, alienating, aligning, alleging, allowing, alluding, alluring, along, altering, alternating, amazing, among, amusing, analyzing, anchoring, angling, announcing, annoying, answering, antagonizing, anticipating, antiquing, anything, apologizing, appalling, appealing, appearing, appetizing, applauding, applying, appointing, approaching, approving, arguing, arming, arousing, arranging, arresting, arriving, asking, assaulting, assembling, assessing, assigning, assisting, associating, assuming, assuring, astonishing, astounding, attacking, attempting, attending, attracting, auctioning, auditing, auditioning, authorizing, avoiding, awaiting, awakening, aahing, abashing, abasing, abating, abbreviating, abdicating, abducing, abetting, abhorring, abjuring, ablating, abnegating, aboding, abolishing, abominating, aborning, aborting, abounding, abrading, abreacting, abridging, abrogating, abscessing, abscising, absconding, abseiling, absenting, absolutizing, absolving, absquatulating, abstaining, absterging, abstracting, abstricting, abuilding, abutting, abying, acceding, accenting, accentuating, accessioning, accessorising, accessorizing, acclaiming, acclimating, acclimatising, acclimatizing, accosting, accoutering, accoutring, accrediting, accreting, accruing, acculturating, accumulating, accustoming, acerbating, acetifying, acetylating, achromatizing, acidifying, acidulating, acierating, acknowledging, acquainting, acquiescing, acquiring, acquitting, activizing, actualizing, actuating, acylating, addicting, addling, adducing, adducting, adeeming, adhering, adhibiting, adjoining, adjourning, adjudging, adjudicating, adjuring, admeasuring, administrating, admixing, admonishing, adorning, adsorbing, adulating, adulterating, adumbrating, advantaging, advecting, adventuring, adverting, advertizing, aerating, aerifying, aerobraking, aerosolizing, aestheticizing, aestivating, affiancing, affiliating, affixing, afflicting, affording, afforesting, affraying, affrighting, affronting, agatizing, agelong, agenizing, agenting, agglomerating, agglutinating, aggrading, aggrandising, aggrandizing, aggregating, aggressing, aggrieving, agisting, agitating, agnizing, agog, agonising, airbrushing, airdropping, airfreighting, airlifting, airmailing … and 277 more

All words that fit AG
Round 2FE631 words fit

starts with F and ends with E.

fable, fabricate, face, facilitate, fade, failure, fake, fallible, false, fame, familiarize, famine, fanfare, fantasize, farce, fare, farmhouse, fascinate, fate, fatigue, fave, favorable, favorite, fearsome, feasible, feature, fee, feeble, feline, female, feminine, femme, fence, fertile, fertilize, festive, fiance, fiancee, fibre, fickle, fiddle, fieldstone, fierce, fife, figurative, figure, file, finagle, finale, finalize, finance, fine, finesse, fire, firehouse, fireplace, five, fixable, fixture, fizzle, flake, flame, flammable, flare, flatulence, flatware, flee, fleece, flexible, floe, florence, flue, fluke, flute, foe, foliage, folklore, follicle, fondle, fondue, footage, footnote, forage, forbade, force, fore, foreclosure, foregone, foresee, foreseeable, forgave, forge, forgettable, forgive, formaldehyde, formidable, formulate, forsake, forte, fortitude, fortunate, fortune, fosse, foursome, foxhole, fracture, fragile, fragrance, frame, franchise, freckle, free, freebie, freelance, freeze, fridge, frigate, fringe, frostbite, froze, fruitcake, fudge, fugitive, fugue, fumble, furnace, furniture, furthermore, furtive, fuse, futile, future, facade, faceable, faceplate, facete, facetiae, facile, facilitative, facsimile, factitive, factorable, factorage, factorize, factorylike, facture, faculae, facultative, fadable, fadge, faerie, faience, faille, fairylike, falcate, falconine, falsie, falsifiable, familiarise, fanaticize, fane, fanfaronade, fanglike, fanlike, fantasie, fantasise, fantasticate, fanwise, fanzine, faradise, faradize, farandole, farcie, farinose, farle, farmable, farmerette, farmwife, farouche, farside, farthingale, fasciae, fasciate, fascicle, fasciculate, fascicule, fascine, fashionable, fastigiate, fatherlike, fathomable, fatigable, fatlike, faunae, faunlike, fauve, fawnlike, fayalite, faze, feasance, fease, featheredge, featurette, feaze, febrifuge, febrile, feculae, feculence, fecundate, fedayee, federalese, federalize, federate, federative, feedable, feedhole, feeze, feirie, felicitate, fellable, fellate, felloe, felsite, felstone, feltlike, feme, feminie, feminise, feminize, fenagle, fencible, fenestrae, fenestrate, feoffee, fere, feriae, ferine, ferlie, fermate, fermentable … and 391 more

All words that fit FE
Round 3CBL40 words fit

starts with C and ends with L, with B in between, in that order.

cannibal, cannonball, cerebral, cornball, curveball, cymbal, cabal, cambial, cannabinol, carbachol, carbamyl, carbaryl, carbinol, carbonyl, carboxyl, cascabel, cerebrospinal, charbroil, chronobiological, chrysoberyl, cibol, clubhaul, cockbill, combinational, combinatorial, connubial, consubstantial, corbeil, corbel, corynebacterial, cowbell, coxcombical, cranesbill, craniocerebral, crossbill, cryobiological, cubical, cubital, cuboidal, cybernetical

All words that fit CBL
Round 4KIG90 words fit

starts with K and ends with G, with I in between, in that order.

kayaking, keeping, kickboxing, kicking, kidding, kidnapping, killing, kindling, king, kissing, kneeling, knitting, knocking, knowing, kaoliang, karting, karyotyping, kashering, kayoing, kecking, keckling, kedging, keeking, keelhaling, keelhauling, keeling, keening, kegling, kelping, kenneling, kennelling, kenning, kepping, keratinizing, kerbing, kerfing, kerneling, kernelling, kerning, kerplunking, keybinding, keyboarding, keying, keynoting, keypunching, keystroking, kiang, kibbitzing, kibbling, kibitzing, kiboshing, kidnaping, kilning, kilting, kinescoping, kinging, kinking, kippering, kipping, kirning, kithing, kiting, kitling, kittening, kitting, kittling, knacking, knapping, kneading, kneecapping, kneeing, knelling, knifing, knighting, knolling, knotting, knouting, knuckling, knurling, konking, koshering, kotowing, kowtowing, kraaling, kurbashing, kvetching, kyanising, kyanizing, kyboshing, kything

All words that fit KIG
Round 5PSS2170 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 6GYES96 words fit

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

gargoyles, gayness, goodbyes, gypsies, gainsayers, gallerygoers, galleryites, gametocytes, gametophytes, ganymedes, gayeties, gaynesses, genotypes, geohydrologies, geophytes, geosynclines, gerrymanders, geyserites, geysers, gigabytes, gillyflowers, glossopharyngeals, glutaraldehydes, glyceraldehydes, glycerides, glycerinates, glycerines, glycerins, glycerols, glyceryls, glycines, glycogeneses, glycogenesis, glycogenolyses, glycogenolysis, glycogens, glycolyses, glycopeptides, glycoproteins, glycosidases, glycosides, glycosylates, goldeneyes, goldeyes, gonocytes, gooeyness, gooeynesses, gramaryes, granophyres, granulocytes, granulocytopoieses, granulocytopoiesis, graybeards, grayfishes, grayness, graynesses, graywackes, greyhens, greyness, greynesses, groynes, gruyeres, guayaberas, guayules, guylines, gybes, gymnospermies, gymnospermous, gymnosperms, gynaecologies, gynandries, gynandromorphies, gynarchies, gynecocracies, gynecologies, gynecologists, gynecomastias, gyniatries, gynogeneses, gynogenesis, gynophores, gyplures, gyppers, gypseous, gypsiferous, gypsters, gyrases, gyrates, gyrenes, gyres, gyrocompasses, gyrofrequencies, gyroplanes, gyroscopes, gyrostabilizers, gyves

All words that fit GYES
Round 7SONS1026 words fit

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

salutations, sanctimonious, scallions, scones, scorpions, scoundrels, seasons, seconds, sections, selections, seriousness, sermons, sessions, shootings, shortcomings, shortness, shotguns, simpletons, simulations, situations, skeletons, slogans, smartphones, softness, solutions, songs, sonics, sonnets, sons, sopranos, sounds, souvenirs, specifications, speculations, sponges, sponsors, spontaneous, spoons, stations, stockings, stones, subconscious, subpoenas, subscriptions, suggestions, summons, surgeons, surroundings, surrounds, suspicions, synonymous, sabatons, sabayons, sacatons, saccharifications, sacculations, sacrilegiousness, sacrilegiousnesses, sacrosanctities, sadirons, saffrons, sagaciousness, sagaciousnesses, sailboardings, sailboatings, sainfoins, salaciousness, salaciousnesses, salespersons, salinizations, salivations, sallowness, sallownesses, salmonberries, salmonellas, salmonelloses, salmonellosis, salmonids, salmonoids, salmons, salons, saloons, saltations, salubriousness, salubriousnesses, salutatorians, salvationisms, salvations, sanctifications, sanctimonies, sanctimoniousness, sanctimoniousnesses, sanctions, sandstones, sanitations, sanitizations, santolinas, santonins, sapogenins, saponaceous, saponaceousness, saponaceousnesses, saponifications, saponifiers, saponifies, saponines, saponins, saponites, saprogenicities, sardonicisms, sardonyxes, sarongs, saskatoons, satiations, satisfactions, satisfactoriness, satisfactorinesses, saturations, savoriness, savorinesses, sawbones, sawboneses, saxhorns, saxitoxins, saxonies, saxophones, saxophonists, sayonaras, scabrousness, scabrousnesses, scaffoldings, scallopinis, scaloppines, scammonies, scandalmongerings, scandalmongers, scandalousness, scandalousnesses, scansions, scapegoatings, scaremongers, scarifications, scatterations, schematizations, schizogonies, schizogonous, schizonts, schizophrenes, schizophrenias, schizophrenics, schoolings, schooners, scintillations, scions, scissions, scleroproteins, sclerotins, sclerotizations, scoldings, scolopendras, sconces, scopolamines, scorners, scornfulness, scornfulnesses, scorns, scorpaenids, scourings, scoutings, scroungers, scrounges, scrupulousness, scrupulousnesses, scullions, scuppernongs, scurrilousness, scurrilousnesses, scutcheons, scyphozoans, seafronts, seamounts, searobins, seasonableness, seasonablenesses, seasonalities, seasoners, seasonings, seasonless, seaworthiness, seaworthinesses, secessionisms, secessionists, secessions, seclusions, secondaries, secondariness, secondarinesses, seconders, secondes, secretions, sectionalisms, sectionals, secularizations, securitizations, sedations, sedimentations, seditions, seditiousness, seditiousnesses, seductions, sedulousness, sedulousnesses, segmentations, segregationists, segregations, selectionists, semiabstractions, semiautonomous, semicolonialisms, semicolonies, semicolons, semiconductors, semiconscious, semiconsciousness, semiconsciousnesses, semidocumentaries, semidomestications, semimonthlies, semioticians, semiporcelains, semipornographies, semiprofessionals, semitones, semolinas, sensationalises, sensationalisms, sensationalists, sensationalizes, sensations, sensitisations … and 786 more

All words that fit SONS
Round 8ARIY180 words fit

starts with A and ends with Y, with R then I in between, in that order.

abnormality, absurdity, accordingly, adversity, aggressively, angrily, appropriately, approximately, arbitrary, artillery, artistry, authority, aboriginally, abortively, abrasively, absorbability, absorbingly, absorptivity, abstrusity, acceleratingly, accretionary, acerbically, acerbity, achromatically, acridity, acridly, acrimoniously, acrimony, acrobatically, acronymically, acrostically, actuarially, addressability, administratively, admirability, admiringly, admonitorily, adorability, adoringly, adrenergically, adroitly, adumbratively, adverbially, adversatively, aerially, aerify, aerily, aerobically, aerobiology, aerodynamically, aeroelasticity, aeronautically, affirmatively, affordability, aggregatively, aggressivity, aggrievedly, agreeability, agriculturally, agrimony, agronomically, airily, alacrity, alarmingly, algebraically, algorithmically, allegorically, allergenicity, alliteratively, allopatrically, allosterically, allotetraploidy, alluringly, alphanumerically, alterability, alternatively, altruistically, amateurishly, ambidexterity, ambrosially, ambulatorily, amorality, amphitheatrically, anachronistically, anaerobically, anagrammatically, anaphorically, anarchically, anchoritically, anfractuosity, angiocardiography, angularity, anisotropically, anteriorly, anthropocentrically, anthropocentricity, anthropologically, anthropomorphically, antiauthority, antidromically, antiferromagnetically, antifertility, antigravity, antirationality, antirecessionary, antirevolutionary, antistrophically, antiuniversity, aoristically, aperiodically, aperiodicity, aphoristically, apotropaically, appraisingly, appreciably, appreciatively, appreciatory, apprehensibly, apprehensively, approachability, approvingly, apriority, arability, arbitrarily, archaeologically, archaically, archeologically, archiepiscopally, architectonically, architecturally, arctically, argumentatively, aridity, aridly, aristocracy, aristocratically, arithmetically, armorially, aromatically, aromaticity, arrestingly, arterially, arteriography, arthritically, articulacy, articulately, articulatory, artificiality, artificially, artily, artistically, asperity, assertively, assortatively, astringency, astringently, astrobiology, astrologically, astronautically, astronomically, astrophysically, asymmetrically, atmospherically, atrociously, atrocity, attractively, attributively, auditorily, austerity, authoritatively, autobiographically, autocratically, autographically, autoradiography, autotetraploidy, autotrophically, avariciously, avascularity, aversively, avuncularity

All words that fit ARIY
Round 9GUARS36 words fit

starts with G and ends with S, with U then A then R in between, in that order.

guarantees, guardians, guards, guitars, gesticulators, gewurztraminers, glutaraldehydes, graduators, granularities, granulators, grossularites, grossulars, groundbreakers, groundwaters, grubstakers, guacharoes, guacharos, guaranies, guaranis, guaranties, guarantors, guardants, guardedness, guardednesses, guarders, guardhouses, guardianships, guardrails, guardrooms, guars, guayaberas, guisards, guitarfishes, guitarists, gunpapers, gurnards

All words that fit GUARS
Round 10HPIES144 words fit

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

happiness, harpies, hippies, hypocrites, hagiographies, hairpieces, hairsplitters, halfpennies, halophiles, handspikes, haphazardries, haplites, haploidies, haplologies, happinesses, haruspices, headpieces, heelpieces, helplines, hematopoieses, hematopoiesis, hemoglobinopathies, hemopoieses, hemopoiesis, hepatectomies, hepatitides, hepatizes, hepatomegalies, hepatotoxicities, heptarchies, hermaphrodites, herpesviruses, herpetologies, heterophonies, heterophyllies, heteroploidies, heterospories, heterotrophies, hexaploidies, hexapodies, hiplines, hippiedoms, hippieness, hippienesses, hippiness, hippinesses, histocompatibilities, histopathologies, histophysiologies, histoplasmosises, historiographies, hokypokies, holographies, homeopathies, homophonies, homoplasies, homospories, hoplites, hornpipes, hosepipes, hospices, hospitalises, hospitalities, hospitalizes, housepainters, huipiles, hydrocephalies, hydrographies, hydropathies, hydroperoxides, hydrophilicities, hydrophobicities, hydropsies, hydrotherapies, hydroxyapatites, hydroxylapatites, hydroxyprolines, hydroxytryptamines, hygroscopicities, hyperacidities, hyperactives, hyperactivities, hyperacuities, hyperalimentations, hyperbolizes, hypercoagulabilities, hyperconsciousness, hyperconsciousnesses, hyperemotionalities, hyperexcitabilities, hyperexcitements, hypergamies, hyperhidroses, hyperimmunizes, hyperinnervations, hyperirritabilities, hyperkineses, hyperkinesias, hyperkinesis, hyperlipemias, hyperlipidemias, hypermobilities, hypermutabilities, hyperparasites, hyperpigmentations, hyperploidies, hyperpolarizes, hyperrationalities, hyperreactivities, hypersalinities, hypersensitiveness, hypersensitivenesses, hypersensitivities, hypersensitizes, hypersexualities, hyperstimulates, hypersusceptibilities, hypertensives, hypertonicities, hypertrophies, hyperuricemias, hypervelocities, hyperventilates, hypervigilances, hyperviscosities, hypervitaminoses, hypnotherapies, hypnotizabilities, hypnotizes, hypochlorites, hypochondriases, hypocrisies, hypodermises, hypodiploidies, hypogynies, hypophysectomies, hypophysectomizes, hyposensitizes, hypospadiases, hypostatizes, hypotensives, hypothesizes, hypotonicities, hypoxanthines

All words that fit HPIES

Questions

What were the answers to Wordspine #28?
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.