Wordspine #3

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Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Answers for puzzle #3. 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 EY. A word like each looks close but doesn't count — it starts with E but ends with H, not Y. Order is the whole game.

Pro — four levels

Level 1EY565 words fit

starts with E and ends with Y.

eagerly, early, earthly, earthy, easily, easy, ebony, economically, economy, ecstasy, eddy, edgy, eerily, effectively, efficiency, efficiently, eighty, elderly, electricity, electronically, elementary, eloquently, embarrassingly, embassy, embody, emergency, emery, eminently, emotionally, empathy … and 535 more

All words that fit EY

Scoring on this level: EASY = 6 points, ELECTRONICALLY = 16 points.

Level 2REE787 words fit

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

rattlesnake, reactive, realise, realize, rearrange, reasonable, reassemble, reassurance, reassure, rebate, recapture, receive, receptive, recharge, recipe, recite, reclusive, recognise, recognizable, recognizance, recognize, reconcile, reconnaissance, reconvene, recourse, recreate, rectangle, recuperate, recuse, recycle … and 757 more

All words that fit REE

Scoring on this level: REBATE = 10 points, RECONNAISSANCE = 18 points.

Level 3HUSE19 words fit

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

henhouse, hothouse, house, housewife, hustle, hypotenuse, hamulose, hemicellulose, housebroke, housemate, huisache, humanise, humoresque, husklike, huswife, hyaluronidase, hydromedusae, hypersusceptible, hypothenuse

All words that fit HUSE

Scoring on this level: HOUSE = 11 points, HYPERSUSCEPTIBLE = 22 points.

Level 4BSSED18 words fit

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

blessed, blossomed, bossed, backcrossed, badassed, bakshished, basseted, bassetted, bastardised, bekissed, bespoused, biassed, bioassayed, blissed, brassed, bussed, buttressed, bypassed

All words that fit BSSED

Scoring on this level: BOSSED = 14 points, BACKCROSSED = 19 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 1PN684 words fit

starts with P and ends with N.

pagan, pain, pan, pantheon, paragon, pardon, participation, partisan, parton, passion, pathogen, patrolman, patrolmen, patron, patten, pattern, pavilion, pawn, pecan, pedestrian, pediatrician, pemmican, pen, penetration, penguin, penicillin, pension, pentagon, peon, perception, perfection, permission, person, perspiration, persuasion, perversion, petition, phenomenon, physician, pigeon, pigskin, pin, pincushion, piston, plain, plan, plankton, plantation, platoon, poison, policeman, policemen, politician, pollen, pollution, polymerization, pontoon, popcorn, population, porcelain, porn, portion, position, possession, postman, potion, precaution, precision, predisposition, premonition, preparation, prescription, presentation, preservation, pressman, prevention, prison, probation, procession, production, profession, progression, prohibition, projection, proliferation, promotion, pronunciation, proportion, proposition, propulsion, prosecution, prostitution, protection, protein, proven, provision, provocation, publication, pumpkin, pun, punctuation, purification, puritan, pacification, packman, packmen, paction, paean, paediatrician, paeon, paesan, pagination, pagurian, paisan, paladin, palanquin, palatalization, palletization, palliation, palmation, palmitin, palpation, palpitation, pampean, panacean, pancreatin, pancreozymin, pangen, pangolin, panhuman, pannikin, pantaloon, pantechnicon, pantryman, pantrymen, papain, papayan, paphian, papillon, papyrian, paraffin, paralyzation, parameterization, parametrization, parasitization, parathion, parazoan, parergon, parhelion, parian, parkinsonian, parliamentarian, parson, partaken, partan, particularization, partition, partizan, parturition, parvolin, passivation, pastedown, pastern, pasteurization, paten, patin, patination, patrician, patronization, patroon, pattypan, pauldron, paulin, pavan, pavillon, pavin, peahen, pean, pearmain, peasen, pechan, pecten, pectin, pectination, peculation, peebeen, peen, pein, pekan, pekin, pelican, pellagrin, pelletization, pelon, pelorian, pemican, penalization, peneplain, penman, penmen, pennon, penstemon, pentahedron, pentathlon, pentosan, pentstemon, peppercorn, pepsin, pepsinogen, peptidoglycan, perambulation, percolation, percussion, perdition, peregrin, peregrination, pereion, perennation, pereon, perforation, perfusion, perigean, perigon, perihelion, perikaryon, periodization, periphyton, permeation, permethrin, permutation, peroration, perpetration, perpetuation, perron, persecution, perseveration, persimmon, personalization, personation, personification … and 444 more

All words that fit PN
Round 2JS520 words fit

starts with J and ends with S.

jabs, jackals, jackass, jackasses, jackers, jackets, jacks, jags, jaguars, jammies, jams, janitors, jars, jaws, jealous, jeans, jeepers, jeeps, jeggings, jellies, jerks, jerries, jerseys, jess, jesuits, jets, jewelers, jewels, jews, jimmies, jingles, jitters, jobless, jobs, jockeys, jocks, joes, johns, joins, joints, jokers, jokes, jollies, jones, journalists, journals, journeys, joyous, joys, judas, judges, judgments, jugs, juices, jumpers, jumps, jungles, juniors, junkies, juries, jurors, jus, justifies, jabberers, jabbers, jabberwockies, jabirus, jaborandis, jaboticabas, jabots, jacales, jacals, jacamars, jacanas, jacarandas, jacinthes, jacinths, jackanapes, jackanapeses, jackaroos, jackasseries, jackboots, jackdaws, jackeroos, jacketless, jackfishes, jackfruits, jackhammers, jackies, jackknifes, jackknives, jacklegs, jacklights, jackpots, jackrabbits, jackrolls, jackscrews, jacksmelts, jackstays, jackstraws, jacobins, jacobus, jacobuses, jaconets, jacquards, jacqueries, jactitations, jaculates, jadedness, jadednesses, jadeites, jades, jaegers, jagers, jaggaries, jaggedness, jaggednesses, jaggeries, jaggers, jaggheries, jaggs, jagless, jagras, jaguarondis, jaguarundis, jailbirds, jailbreaks, jailers, jailhouses, jailors, jails, jakes, jalapenos, jalapins, jalaps, jalopies, jaloppies, jalops, jalousies, jambalayas, jambes, jamborees, jambs, jammers, janes, janglers, jangles, janisaries, janissaries, janizaries, japanizes, japanners, japans, japeries, japers, japes, japonaiseries, japonicas, jardinieres, jarfuls, jargonels, jargonizes, jargons, jargoons, jarheads, jarinas, jarldoms, jarls, jarosites, jarovizes, jarrahs, jarveys, jasmines, jasmins, jaspers, jasperwares, jassids, jatos, jauks, jaunces, jaundices, jauntiness, jauntinesses, jaunts, jaups, javas, javelinas, javelins, jawans, jawboners, jawbones, jawbonings, jawbreakers, jawlines, jaybirds, jaygees, jayhawkers, jays, jayvees, jaywalkers, jaywalks, jazzers, jazzes, jazziness, jazzinesses, jealousies, jealousness, jealousnesses, jebels, jeepneys, jeerers, jeers, jees, jefes, jehads, jehus, jejuneness, jejunenesses, jejunities, jellabas, jellifies, jells, jellybeans, jellyfishes, jelutongs, jemadars, jemidars, jemmies, jennets, jennies, jeopardies, jeopardises, jeopardizes, jeopards, jerboas, jereeds, jeremiads, jerids, jerkers, jerkies … and 280 more

All words that fit JS
Round 3PAD499 words fit

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

paced, packed, pad, padded, paged, paid, pained, painted, paired, pampered, panicked, panned, paralyzed, paranoid, pardoned, parenthood, parked, paroled, parted, participated, partied, partnered, passed, password, pasted, patched, patented, patrolled, patronized, paved, payload, peaked, penalized, penetrated, perpetrated, personalized, persuaded, phased, photographed, pigheaded, pinhead, pirated, pixilated, placed, placid, plagued, plaid, planned, planted, plastered, plateaued, plated, played, playground, plead, pleaded, pleased, poached, pollard, populated, portrayed, postcard, pothead, practiced, praised, prayed, preached, premeditated, prepared, prevailed, proclaimed, programmed, protracted, purchased, pyramid, pacified, packaged, packboard, packeted, packthread, paddleboard, paddled, paddocked, padlocked, paganised, paganized, paginated, pagod, pagurid, paiked, paillard, pajamaed, palaced, palatalized, palavered, paled, palisaded, palled, palletised, palletized, palliated, pallid, palmated, palmed, palpated, palpitated, palsied, paltered, pamphleteered, panbroiled, pancaked, pancreatectomized, pandered, pandied, paned, paneled, panelled, panfried, panged, panhandled, panicled, panoplied, panted, pantiled, pantomimed, pantsuited, paperbacked, paperboard, paperbound, papered, paraboloid, parachuted, paraded, paradropped, paraffined, paragoned, paragraphed, paralleled, parallelepiped, parallelled, paralysed, parameterized, parametrized, parapeted, paraphrased, parasitised, parasitized, parasitoid, parathyroid, parathyroidectomized, paratyphoid, parboiled, parbuckled, parceled, parcelled, parched, pard, pared, parented, parenthesized, parfocalized, parged, pargeted, pargetted, parkland, parlayed, parled, parleyed, parodied, parotid, parotoid, parqueted, parred, parried, parroted, parsed, parsleyed, parslied, particleboard, particularised, particularized, partitioned, pashed, pasquinaded, passaged, passband, passivated, pasteboard, pasteurised, pasteurized, pastored, pastured, pastureland, patchboard, pated, patinated, patined, patinized, patronised, patted, pattered, patterned, paunched, paupered, pauperized, paused, paveed, pavid, pavilioned, pawed, pawned, payed, peaced, peached, peacocked, pealed, pearled, pearlized, peascod, peasecod, peculated, pedaled, pedalled, pedestaled, pedestalled, pedunculated, pegboard, penalised, penanced, pennated, pentad, pentaploid, peracid, perambulated, percolated, peregrinated, perennated, perforated, permeated, perorated … and 259 more

All words that fit PAD
Round 4IRT142 words fit

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

ignorant, impart, imperfect, imperialist, impertinent, import, important, imprint, imprisonment, improvement, incoherent, incorrect, indifferent, indiscreet, industrialist, informant, ingredient, inherit, innermost, insert, instruct, instrument, interact, intercept, interest, interject, intermittent, internist, internment, interpret, interrupt, intolerant, irrelevant, imaret, immaterialist, immigrant, immoralist, immunofluorescent, immunosorbent, immunosuppressant, immurement, impairment, impartment, impercipient, imperilment, impermanent, impoverishment, impregnant, impressionist, impressment, imprest, improvident, imprudent, inadvertent, inapparent, inburst, incongruent, incorrupt, increment, incrementalist, increscent, incrust, incurrent, indeterminist, indifferentist, indirect, indorsement, indraft, inebriant, inerrant, inert, inexpert, infarct, infract, infrequent, infringement, ingraft, inherent, inobservant, inspirit, instrumentalist, insurant, insurgent, insurrectionist, integrationist, interactant, interconnect, interconvert, intercurrent, intercut, interdependent, interdict, interdistrict, intergraft, interknit, interlacement, interlent, interment, intermit, intermont, internationalist, interplant, interpoint, intersect, intersegment, intertwinement, intertwist, interunit, interventionist, interwrought, intort, intransigeant, intransigent, intrant, intreat, intrigant, intriguant, introgressant, introit, introject, intromit, intromittent, introspect, introspectionist, introvert, intrust, inurement, invariant, invert, iratest, iridescent, iridologist, ironist, irrationalist, irredentist, irreligionist, irreverent, irritant, irrupt, isograft, iterant, itinerant

All words that fit IRT
Round 5SDT88 words fit

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

saddest, sadist, sawdust, speedboat, spreadsheet, standpoint, stardust, steadfast, student, stupidest, superintendent, sacerdotalist, sadomasochist, samizdat, sandblast, sandiest, sandlot, sandpit, sandwort, sarodist, scandent, sedatest, sederunt, sedgiest, sediment, sedimentologist, seducement, seediest, semidesert, semidominant, shadiest, shadowiest, shoddiest, shouldest, shouldst, shrewdest, sidelight, skiddiest, slenderest, sludgiest, smudgiest, snidest, snowdrift, sodalist, sodomist, solidarist, solidest, soundest, speediest, spendthrift, sphenodont, spideriest, spiderwort, spindliest, spindrift, splendent, splendidest, squalidest, staidest, standout, standpat, steadiest, stedfast, stodgiest, stolidest, strident, studliest, sturdiest, subadolescent, subadult, subdepartment, subdepot, subdevelopment, subdialect, subdistrict, subdominant, subduct, subedit, submediant, subproduct, succedent, sudsiest, superabundant, superconduct, superconfident, superdiplomat, syndet, syndicalist

All words that fit SDT
Round 6TOER123 words fit

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

takeover, teenybopper, thermometer, thermonuclear, thrower, toaster, toddler, together, toller, toner, tougher, tower, transponder, trooper, troublemaker, trouper, trouser, taborer, tabourer, tachometer, tambourer, tattooer, tautomer, teetotaler, teetotaller, telecommuter, telephoner, tellurometer, temporizer, tenderometer, tenoner, tenpounder, tensiometer, tensioner, terpolymer, theatergoer, theologizer, theorizer, thermoreceptor, thermoregulator, thornier, thorougher, throatier, throbber, throttler, throughither, throughother, throwster, thundershower, timeworker, titleholder, toadeater, toastier, toastmaster, tobogganer, tocher, toggler, toiler, toker, tolerator, tonger, tonier, tonner, tonometer, tooler, toolholder, toolmaker, tooter, toothier, tootler, toper, toploftier, topnotcher, topographer, topper, topsider, torchbearer, torchier, toreador, tormenter, tormentor, torquer, torrider, torturer, tosser, totalizer, toter, tother, totter, totterer, toucher, touchier, tourer, touter, towerier, townwear, toyer, trampoliner, transformer, transmissometer, transporter, trapshooter, treehopper, trochanter, trochlear, troffer, troller, trotter, troubler, troubleshooter, trouncer, troutier, trouveur, trover, troweler, turbocharger, turbogenerator, turnover, tutoyer, twinflower, twofer, typefounder, typographer

All words that fit TOER
Round 7RNAY65 words fit

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

rationally, reactionary, reasonably, redundancy, revolutionary, romantically, rudimentary, runaway, runway, rabbinically, radioimmunoassay, rationalistically, rationality, reasonability, recessionary, recognizability, recognizably, recommendatory, reconcilability, reconciliatory, recriminatory, rectangularity, rectangularly, rectilinearly, redundantly, referentiality, referentially, reflationary, refundability, regeneracy, regenerately, regionally, regnancy, relationally, remonstrantly, remonstratively, remuneratively, remuneratory, renewability, renewably, renography, rentability, renunciatory, repentantly, representationally, representatively, representativity, repugnancy, repugnantly, residentially, resonantly, retinopathy, retroperitoneally, reverentially, reversionary, revisionary, revolutionarily, rhinoplasty, roentgenographically, roentgenography, roentgenologically, roundelay, rudimentarily, ruminantly, ruminatively

All words that fit RNAY
Round 8SRDE48 words fit

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

sardine, serenade, servitude, straddle, stride, subordinate, saccharide, sarabande, sarode, schadenfreude, shoreside, shrewdie, silverside, smaragde, smaragdine, smaragdite, sordine, sourdine, spermicide, sporicide, spraddle, spreadable, springtide, standardise, standardize, storewide, straightedge, strandline, streamside, stridence, stridulate, strode, subcordate, subgrade, subordinative, superabundance, supercede, superconductive, superdeluxe, superheterodyne, superinduce, superintendence, superordinate, superoxide, supersede, supersedure, superwide, swordlike

All words that fit SRDE
Round 9WRTNG13 words fit

starts with W and ends with G, with R then T then N in between, in that order.

wrestling, writhing, writing, warranting, warstling, wiretapping, worriting, worsting, worthing, wrastling, wrathing, wreathing, wresting

All words that fit WRTNG
Round 10SMLED34 words fit

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

sampled, scrambled, simulated, smelled, smiled, smuggled, stimulated, streamlined, stumbled, scumbled, semicivilized, semipalmated, semiskilled, sentimentalised, sentimentalized, shambled, simpleminded, simplified, simulcasted, smelted, smoldered, smouldered, somersaulted, somnambulated, steamrolled, steamrollered, subemployed, subsampled, summersaulted, superstimulated, symboled, symbolised, symbolized, symbolled

All words that fit SMLED

Questions

What were the answers to Wordspine #3?
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.