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Wordspine #33

Thursday, September 24, 2026

Answers for puzzle #33. 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 RE. A word like rabbi looks close but doesn't count — it starts with R but ends with I, not E. Order is the whole game.

Pro — four levels

Level 1RE1054 words fit

starts with R and ends with E.

rabble, race, radiance, radioactive, raffle, rage, ragtime, raise, rake, ramble, rampage, range, ransomware, rape, rapture, rare, rate, rathole, rationalize, rattle, rattlesnake, ravage, rave, ravine, rawhide, reactive, realise, realize, rearrange, reasonable … and 1024 more

All words that fit RE

Scoring on this level: RACE = 6 points, RADIOACTIVE = 13 points.

Level 2UTD465 words fit

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

ultrasound, unaffected, unappreciated, unattached, unattended, unauthorized, unbuttoned, uncomplicated, uncontrolled, underestimated, understand, understood, undetected, undisputed, unearthed, uneducated, unexpected, unidentified, uninhibited, uninterrupted, uninvited, united, unlimited, unlisted, unmitigated, unprecedented, unprotected, unrelated, unsatisfied, unscathed … and 435 more

All words that fit UTD

Scoring on this level: UNITED = 10 points, UNDERESTIMATED = 18 points.

Level 3SREN86 words fit

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

screen, shorten, shrunken, siren, sovereign, straighten, strengthen, strewn, stricken, sturgeon, subterranean, sunscreen, suppression, surgeon, sabermetrician, salarymen, sarsen, sauerbraten, schlieren, schoolchildren, scleroprotein, screwbean, scrubwomen, secretin, secretion, segregation, semievergreen, semiporcelain, serein, seroconversion … and 56 more

All words that fit SREN

Scoring on this level: SIREN = 11 points, SABERMETRICIAN = 20 points.

Level 4TERED83 words fit

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

tampered, tapered, tattered, tempered, terminated, terrified, terrorized, tinkered, tolerated, transferred, treasured, triggered, tabered, tabernacled, tapestried, tasered, teared, teargassed, tearstained, teetered, teleconferenced, telegrammed, telegraphed, telemetered, teleported, telfered, telphered, temporalized, temporised, temporized … and 53 more

All words that fit TERED

Scoring on this level: TEARED = 14 points, TELECONFERENCED = 23 points.

Ranks on this day

  • Beginner0
  • Good Start27
  • Moving Up60
  • Good99
  • Solid165
  • Nice251
  • Great344
  • Genius462
  • Perfect660
Play this Pro day

Sprint — ten rounds

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

Round 1WS1449 words fit

starts with W and ends with S.

wackos, waffles, wages, wagons, waiters, waitress, waitresses, waits, wakes, walks, wallets, walls, wants, warehouses, wares, warheads, warlocks, warms, warnings, warrants, warriors, wars, warts, was, washes, washrooms, wasps, wastes, watchers, watches, waters, waterworks, watts, wavelengths, waves, waxes, ways, weakness, weaknesses, weapons, wears, weasels, weathers, webinars, webs, websites, weddings, wedges, wedgies, weds, weeds, weekends, weeks, weenies, weighs, weightless, weights, weirdness, weirdoes, weirdos, welcomes, wellness, wells, welts, werewolves, westerns, wetlands, wets, whales, wharves, whats, wheelchairs, wheels, whereabouts, whereas, whims, whispers, whistles, whiteness, whites, whoops, whores, whys, wickedness, widows, wieners, wiggles, wigs, wildcats, wilderness, willies, willingness, willows, wills, wimps, windmills, windows, winds, wings, winks, winners, winnings, winos, wins, winters, wipers, wipes, wireless, wires, wiretaps, wiseass, wisecracks, wishes, witches, withdrawals, withdraws, withers, witless, witness, witnesses, wits, wives, woes, wolves, wonders, wondrous, woods, woops, wops, words, workers, workings, works, worlds, worms, worries, worshippers, worships, worthless, wounds, wrappers, wraps, wreaks, wreaths, wrecks, wrinkles, wrists, writers, writes, writings, wrongs, wuss, wussies, wabblers, wabbles, wabs, wackes, wackiness, wackinesses, wacks, wadders, waddies, waddings, waddlers, waddles, waders, wades, wadies, wadis, wadmaals, wadmals, wadmels, wadmolls, wadmols, wads, wadsets, waeness, waenesses, waes, waesucks, wafers, waffies, wafflers, wafflestompers, wafflings, waffs, waftages, wafters, wafts, waftures, wageless, wagerers, wagers, wageworkers, waggeries, waggers, waggishness, waggishnesses, waggles, waggoners, waggons, wagonages, wagoners, wagonettes, wags, wagtails, wahcondas, wahines, wahoos, waifs, wailers, wails, wains, wainscotings, wainscots, wainscottings, wainwrights, wairs, waistbands, waistcoats, waisters, waistings, waistlines, waists, waitings, waitpersons, waivers, waives, wakandas, wakefulness, wakefulnesses, wakeless, wakeners, wakenings, wakens, wakers, wakikis, walers, wales, walies … and 1209 more

All words that fit WS
Round 2VE319 words fit

starts with V and ends with E.

vacate, vaccine, vague, valentine, validate, valise, valuable, value, valve, vamoose, vampire, vantage, vape, vaporize, variable, variance, varicose, vase, vee, vegetable, vegetative, vehicle, venerable, vengeance, ventilate, ventricle, venture, venue, verge, veritable, versatile, verse, vertebrae, vestibule, viable, vibe, vice, videotape, vie, vigilance, vigilante, vile, village, vindictive, vine, vintage, violate, violence, virile, virtue, visage, visible, visualize, vive, vogue, voice, volatile, voltage, volume, vote, voyage, vulnerable, vulture, vaccinate, vaccinee, vacillate, vacuolate, vacuole, vadose, vagabondage, vagile, vaginae, vaginate, vahine, valance, vale, valence, valerate, valiance, valine, valkyrie, vallate, valleculae, valorise, valorize, valse, valuate, valvate, valvulae, valvule, vambrace, vamose, vanadate, vandalise, vandalize, vandyke, vane, vanquishable, vaporise, vaporizable, vaporware, variate, varicocele, variegate, variole, varve, vasculature, vasectomize, vaselike, vasoactive, vasoconstrictive, vassalage, vastitude, vaticide, vaticinate, vaudeville, vauntie, vawntie, vedette, veepee, vegetate, vegete, vegetive, veggie, vegie, vehemence, veillike, veinlike, veinule, velarize, velate, veloce, velocipede, velodrome, veloute, velure, velvetlike, venae, vendable, vendace, vendee, vendeuse, vendible, vendue, venenate, venenose, venerate, venge, venine, venipuncture, venire, venose, ventage, ventricose, ventriloquize, venturesome, venule, venulose, veratridine, veratrine, verbalize, verbiage, verbicide, verbile, verbose, verdure, vergence, verifiable, verisimilitude, verite, verjuice, vermicide, vermiculate, vermiculite, vermifuge, vernacle, vernalize, vernicle, vernissage, verrucae, verrucose, versicle, versine, verste, vertebrate, verticillate, verve, vesicae, vesicate, vesicle, vesiculae, vesiculate, vespertine, vespine, vestee, vestige, vestlike, vesture, vesuvianite, vibrance, vibraphone, vibrate, vibratile, vibrissae, vicarage, vicarate, vicariance, vicariate, vicereine, vichyssoise, vicinage, vicissitude, vicomte, victimise, victimize, vide, videocassette, videoconference, videophile, videophone, vidette, viewable, vignette, villae, villanelle, villenage, villose, vinaigrette, vinasse, vinblastine, vincible, vincristine, vindicable, vindicate, vindicative, viniculture, vinylidene, violable, violative, violone … and 79 more

All words that fit VE
Round 3SRS3379 words fit

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

sabers, sacrifices, safeguards, sailors, salaries, sanders, sapphires, sarcoidosis, sarcophagus, sardines, saucers, scanners, scares, scars, scarves, scenarios, scholarships, scissors, scores, scorpions, scoundrels, scrapes, scrapings, scraps, scratches, screams, screens, screws, screwups, scripts, scriptures, scrolls, scrubs, scruples, sculptures, 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, shards, shares, sharks, sharpens, sharpshooters, shelters, shepherds, shirtless, shirts, shivers, shooters, shoplifters, shores, shortcomings, shortness, shorts, shoulders, showers, shreds, shrinks, shrouds, shrubs, shrugs, shutters, sideburns, signatures, similarities, singers, sinners, sirens, sirs, sisters, sitters, skateboards, skaters, skeeters, skirmishes, skirts, skyscrapers, slackers, slanderous, slayers, sleepers, sleepovers, slippers, smackers, smartass, smartphones, smarts, smears, smithereens, smithers, smokers, smugglers, snatchers, sneakers, snickers, snipers, snores, soars, soldiers, somewheres, sopranos, sorcerers, sores, sororities, sorrows, sorts, sources, sourpuss, souvenirs, spareribs, sparklers, sparkles, sparks, speakers, spears, spectators, spencers, spiders, spirals, spirits, splinters, sponsors, spores, sports, spotters, sprays, spreads, spreadsheets, springs, sprinklers, sprinkles, sprints, sprouts, spurs, squares, squatters, squirrels, squirts, staffers, stairs, stalkers, standards, stares, starlets, stars, starters, starts, stereotypes, steroids, stewardess, stewardesses, stewards, stickers, stirs, stockbrokers, stockholders, stores, stories, storms, straights, strains, straits, strangeness, strangers, strapless, straps, strategies, strawberries, straws, streaks, streams, streetlights, streets, strengths, strenuous, stress, stresses, stretches, strides, strikes, strings, stripes, strippers, strips, strokes, strolls, struggles, struts, submarines, subscriptions, suburbs, suckers, suffers, sugars, suitors, summers, sundress, sunflowers, superfluous, superheroes, superiors, supermarkets, superpowers, superstars, superstitious, supports, suppress, surfaces, surfers, surgeons, surgeries, surpass, surplus, surprises, surroundings, surrounds, survives … and 3139 more

All words that fit SRS
Round 4SAL425 words fit

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

sabbatical, sacrificial, sail, sal, sandal, satchel, saul, scalpel, scandal, screwball, seagull, seal, seashell, seasonal, secretarial, seminal, sensational, sensual, sentimental, serial, several, sexual, shall, shameful, shawl, shoal, shrapnel, signal, skeletal, skeptical, sleazeball, small, snarl, snowball, social, softball, spaniel, spatial, special, spectral, spinal, spiral, spiritual, squall, squeal, stairwell, stall, standstill, statistical, steal, steamroll, structural, subdural, substantial, suicidal, superficial, supernatural, surgical, surreal, survival, symmetrical, saccharoidal, sacerdotal, sackful, sacksful, sacral, sacramental, safrol, sagittal, sahiwal, salal, salesgirl, sall, salol, saltatorial, salutational, salvational, samiel, santalol, santol, sapropel, sarcolemmal, sarcosomal, sartorial, satchelful, satchelsful, satirical, saurel, sawbill, sawmill, scall, scarlatinal, scatological, scenical, sceptical, sceptral, schismatical, schistosomal, sciential, scissortail, scleral, sclerotial, scrannel, scrawl, scribal, scriptural, scrotal, sculptural, seafowl, seawall, secobarbital, sectional, sectoral, sectorial, sedimentological, segetal, segmental, seigneurial, seignorial, seismal, seismological, selenological, selfheal, semantical, semasiological, semestral, semestrial, semiannual, semiarboreal, semiautobiographical, semicentennial, semiclassical, semicolonial, semicommercial, semicylindrical, semidiurnal, semiempirical, semifeudal, semifinal, semiformal, semigovernmental, semilethal, semimetal, semimystical, seminatural, semiofficial, semiological, semipolitical, semipostal, semiprofessional, semirural, semiterrestrial, semitonal, semitropical, sempiternal, senatorial, sendal, seneschal, sensorial, sensorineural, sentential, sepal, septal, septennial, septentrional, septical, septicidal, sepulchral, sequential, serail, seral, sericultural, serological, serosal, serotinal, serumal, serval, sesquicentennial, sessional, setal, sexagesimal, shaul, shavetail, sheal, sheathbill, shirttail, shogunal, shortfall, shrieval, sial, sidereal, sidewall, sigmoidal, silvical, silvicultural, simoniacal, simplicial, sincipital, sinistral, sinoatrial, sinological, sinusoidal, siphonal, sisal, situational, skatol, skoal, skysail, slimeball, snail, snowfall, societal, sociobiological, sociocultural, sociohistorical, sociological, sociopolitical, sociopsychological, sociosexual, sodomitical, solenoidal, solstitial, somatological, somedeal, somital, sonantal, sophistical, sororal, soteriological, sourball, spacial, spadeful, spail, spall, spancel, spandrel, spandril, spathal, spatiotemporal, speciational … and 185 more

All words that fit SAL
Round 5FRN142 words fit

starts with F and ends with N, with R in between, in that order.

fabrication, federation, fern, fertilization, filtration, fireman, firemen, firstborn, fisherman, fishermen, florin, forbidden, foreign, foreman, foreskin, forgiven, forgotten, formation, fornication, forsaken, fourteen, fraction, franklin, fraternization, fraulein, freedman, freeman, freshen, freshman, freshmen, friction, frighten, frown, frozen, fruition, frustration, factorization, familiarization, fanfaron, featherbrain, federalization, fenestration, fenuron, fermentation, fermion, ferredoxin, ferritin, ferromagnesian, ferrosilicon, ferryman, ferrymen, fetoprotein, fiberization, fibrillation, fibrin, fibrinogen, fibrinolysin, fibroin, fibronectin, figuration, filarian, fimbriation, firepan, firethorn, firkin, firman, firn, fisherwoman, fisherwomen, flatiron, flavoprotein, flirtation, floriation, florigen, fluegelhorn, flugelhorn, fluorescein, fluoridation, fluorin, fluorination, fluorocarbon, foghorn, footworn, foramen, foraminiferan, forebrain, foreknown, foremen, forenoon, foreordain, foreordination, foreran, forerun, foreseen, foreshorten, foreshown, forespoken, forestation, foresworn, foretoken, foretopman, foretopmen, forewarn, forewoman, forewomen, foreworn, forlorn, formalin, formalization, formularization, formulation, forsworn, fortification, forworn, fourgon, fractionalization, fractionation, fragmentation, francolin, freeborn, freedmen, freedwoman, freedwomen, freemartin, freemen, frenchification, frequentation, frisson, frogman, frogmen, frontiersman, frontiersmen, fronton, frostbitten, fructification, fruitarian, frypan, fulguration, furan, furcation, furfuran, futilitarian

All words that fit FRN
Round 6BRUH13 words fit

starts with B and ends with H, with R then U in between, in that order.

blabbermouth, breakthrough, brunch, brush, backrush, bitterbrush, borough, bottlebrush, broguish, brugh, brutish, bullrush, bulrush

All words that fit BRUH
Round 7SMNG175 words fit

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

sampling, scamming, scheming, schmoozing, scrambling, screaming, shaming, shimmering, skimming, slamming, slimming, slumming, smashing, smearing, smelling, smiling, smirking, smoking, smoldering, smooching, smothering, smuggling, something, stammering, steaming, stimulating, stomping, storming, streaming, stumbling, sublimating, submitting, summoning, swarming, swimming, salaaming, sambaing, scampering, scamping, scandalmongering, schematizing, schismatizing, schlumping, schmeering, schmoosing, scramming, scrimmaging, scrimping, scrimshawing, scrummaging, scrumming, scumbling, scumming, seaming, sedimenting, seeming, segmenting, semaphoring, semiconducting, semideifying, semidrying, sentimentalising, sentimentalizing, sermonizing, shambling, shamming, shammying, shamoying, shampooing, shimming, shimmying, shlumping, shmoozing, shortcoming, shrimping, siamang, silversmithing, simmering, simonizing, simpering, simplifying, simulating, simulcasting, sjamboking, skimping, skirmishing, slaloming, sledgehammering, sliming, slipforming, slipstreaming, slumbering, slumping, smacking, smallholding, smartening, smarting, smattering, smeeking, smelting, smerking, smirching, smiting, smocking, smoothening, smoothing, smouldering, smudging, smutching, smutting, snowmaking, snowmobiling, sodomizing, solemnifying, solemnizing, somersaulting, somerseting, somersetting, somnambulating, spamming, splenectomizing, spuming, squirming, stalemating, stampeding, stamping, steamering, steamrollering, steamrolling, steelmaking, stemming, stigmatizing, stimying, stomaching, streamlining, strumming, stumming, stumping, stymieing, stymying, subliming, submarining, submerging, submersing, suboptimizing, subsampling, subsuming, succumbing, summarising, summarizing, summating, summering, summerlong, summersaulting, summing, summiting, summonsing, superimposing, superstimulating, supplementing, surmising, surmounting, surnaming, swamping, symboling, symbolising, symbolizing, symbolling, symmetrizing, sympathising, sympathizing, synonymizing, systematising, systematizing, systemizing

All words that fit SMNG
Round 8AOLE105 words fit

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

abominable, absolute, accomplice, accountable, acknowledge, actionable, adolescence, adorable, aeroplane, allowable, apocalypse, apologise, apologize, apostle, asshole, automobile, abolishable, abollae, absolutive, absolutize, absolve, absorbable, accolade, accomplishable, acetazolamide, acetonitrile, acetylcholine, acetylcholinesterase, acidophile, acoelomate, acolyte, acrylonitrile, actinolite, adobelike, adoptable, adsorbable, aerolite, aerosolize, affordable, ailurophile, airhole, airmobile, aldolase, allocable, allocatable, aluminosilicate, alveolate, aminophylline, amitrole, amole, amortizable, amphibole, amphibolite, amphiprostyle, ampoule, anchorpeople, andouille, andouillette, anethole, anisole, anole, anolyte, anopheline, anthologize, anthophyllite, anticholinesterase, anticonglomerate, anticonvulsive, antifashionable, antiforeclosure, antimetabolite, antipole, antipolice, antiviolence, apholate, apologiae, apologue, apolune, apophyllite, apostolate, apportionable, approachable, appropriable, approvable, arboriculture, arecoline, areolae, areolate, areole, armhole, arteriole, astrolabe, atonable, audiophile, aureolae, aureole, autoclave, autolysate, autolyse, autolyzate, autolyze, automatable, avoidable, avowable, azole

All words that fit AOLE
Round 9FNTIC12 words fit

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

fanatic, fantastic, frantic, faunistic, feministic, ferrimagnetic, ferromagnetic, fibrinolytic, frenetic, functionalistic, fundamentalistic, fungistatic

All words that fit FNTIC
Round 10WRNED13 words fit

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

warned, warranted, worsened, wrenched, wrinkled, wronged, warrantied, westernised, westernized, windburned, wrangled, wringed, wrongheaded

All words that fit WRNED

Questions

What were the answers to Wordspine #33?
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.