← Puzzle archive

Wordspine #36

Sunday, September 27, 2026

Answers for puzzle #36. 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 BS. A word like baa looks close but doesn't count — it starts with B but ends with A, not S. Order is the whole game.

Pro — four levels

Level 1BS3574 words fit

starts with B and ends with S.

babes, babies, baboons, babysitters, bachelors, backfires, backpacks, backs, backups, backwards, badges, badness, baffles, bagels, baggies, bagpipes, bags, bailiffs, bails, bakeries, bakers, bakes, balances, balconies, baldness, ballads, ballistics, balloons, ballots, ballplayers … and 3544 more

All words that fit BS

Scoring on this level: BAGS = 6 points, BABYSITTERS = 13 points.

Level 2TDS433 words fit

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

tabloids, tardiness, tedious, tendencies, tenderness, tendonitis, tendons, tends, thirds, thousands, threads, tidbits, tides, tidings, toddlers, torpedoes, touchdowns, towards, trades, traditions, tragedies, transcends, treads, tremendous, trends, turds, tuxedos, tabanids, tabards, tablelands … and 403 more

All words that fit TDS

Scoring on this level: TENDS = 9 points, TENDENCIES = 14 points.

Level 3MEIE144 words fit

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

madeleine, mademoiselle, masterpiece, materialize, meanie, meantime, meanwhile, medicare, medicate, medicine, mediocre, meditate, memorize, menagerie, merchandise, meringue, mescaline, mesquite, meteorite, mezzanine, macedoine, machinelike, madreporite, magnesite, magnetise, magnetite, magnetizable, magnetize, magnetoresistance, magnetostrictive … and 114 more

All words that fit MEIE

Scoring on this level: MEANIE = 12 points, MAGNETORESISTANCE = 23 points.

Level 4SRENE28 words fit

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

serenade, serene, shoreline, surveillance, schizophrene, screenable, serenate, serpentine, sesquiterpene, sirvente, sparteine, streamline, streptokinase, stridence, styrene, submergence, subservience, supereminence, superexpensive, supergene, superheroine, superheterodyne, superintelligence, superintendence, superregenerative, supersensible, supersensitive, supervene

All words that fit SRENE

Scoring on this level: SERENE = 14 points, SUPERINTELLIGENCE = 25 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 1FH77 words fit

starts with F and ends with H.

faith, fellah, fetch, fetish, feverish, fiendish, fifteenth, fifth, fiftieth, filth, finch, finish, fish, fitch, flash, flesh, flinch, flush, foolish, forth, forthwith, fortieth, fourteenth, fourth, freakish, french, fresh, facecloth, faddish, faintish, fairish, fallfish, famish, fash, fattish, faugh, featherstitch, feeblish, feh, fetich, fiftyish, filch, filefish, finfish, firth, flatfish, flattish, flatwash, fleech, flemish, flench, fletch, flitch, floorcloth, flourish, flysch, fogyish, foh, folkish, folklorish, foolfish, footbath, footcloth, footpath, foppish, forereach, forsooth, fortyish, foxfish, frith, frogfish, frosh, froth, frumpish, furbish, furlough, furnish

All words that fit FH
Round 2DD1013 words fit

starts with D and ends with D.

dabbled, dad, damaged, damned, dampened, danced, dangled, dared, darkened, darned, dashboard, dashed, dated, dawned, dazzled, dead, deathbed, debated, debriefed, decapitated, deceased, deceived, decided, decked, declared, declined, decoded, decomposed, decorated, decreased, decrypted, dedicated, deducted, deed, deeded, deemed, defaced, defeated, defected, defend, defended, deferred, defied, defined, deflated, defraud, defused, degraded, dehydrated, deigned, delayed, deleted, delighted, delivered, deluded, demand, demanded, demented, demonstrated, demoted, denied, departed, depend, depended, depicted, deployed, deported, deposed, deposited, depraved, depressed, deprived, deputized, deranged, descend, described, desecrated, deserted, deserved, designated, designed, desired, despised, destined, destroyed, detached, detailed, detained, detected, deteriorated, determined, detonated, devastated, developed, deviated, deviled, devised, devoted, devoured, diagnosed, dialed, diamond, diced, dictated, did, died, digested, dignified, dilated, diluted, diminished, dimpled, dined, dinged, dipped, directed, disabled, disagreed, disallowed, disappeared, disappointed, disapproved, disarmed, disassembled, disbarred, discarded, discharged, disciplined, disclosed, discolored, disconnected, discontinued, discord, discouraged, discovered, discriminated, discussed, diseased, disfigured, disgraced, disgruntled, disguised, disgusted, disheveled, disillusioned, disinherited, disintegrated, dislocated, dislodged, dismantled, dismissed, disobeyed, disorganized, disoriented, disowned, dispatched, dispensed, displaced, displayed, displeased, disqualified, disregard, disregarded, disrespected, disrupted, dissatisfied, dissected, dissed, dissipated, dissolved, distended, distinguished, distorted, distracted, distressed, distributed, disturbed, ditched, diverted, divided, divorced, divulged, docked, doctored, documented, dodged, dogged, dogwood, dolled, domesticated, donated, doomed, dosed, dotted, doubled, doubted, doused, downed, downgraded, download, downloaded, downward, dozed, drafted, dragged, drained, draped, dread, dreaded, dreamed, dredged, dressed, dried, drifted, driftwood, drilled, dripped, drooled, dropped, drowned, drugged, drummed, drunkard, dubbed, ducked, dud, dullard, dulled, dumped, dunked, duped, durned, dusted, dyed, dabbed, dachshund, dackered, daddled, dadoed, daffed … and 773 more

All words that fit DD
Round 3SKS671 words fit

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

sacks, sakes, seekers, seeks, setbacks, shackles, shakers, shakes, shanks, sharks, shocks, shrinks, shucks, sickens, sickness, sickos, sidekicks, sidewalks, sikes, silks, sinks, skateboards, skaters, skates, skeeters, skeletons, sketches, skids, skies, skills, skins, skirmishes, skirts, skis, skittles, skivvies, skulls, skyscrapers, slackers, slacks, smackers, smacks, smokers, smokes, snacks, snakes, sneakers, sneaks, snickers, snowflakes, sockets, socks, sparklers, sparkles, sparks, speakers, speaks, spikes, spokes, spooks, sprinklers, sprinkles, squeaks, stacks, stakeouts, stakes, stalkers, stalks, steaks, stickers, sticks, stinks, stockbrokers, stockholders, stockings, stocks, stokes, streaks, strikes, strokes, suckers, sucks, supermarkets, sweepstakes, sykes, sackbuts, sackcloths, sackers, sackfuls, sackings, safecrackers, safecrackings, safekeepings, sakers, sakis, salesclerks, saltshakers, saltworks, salukis, samarskites, sambukes, samekhs, sameks, sandbanks, sanjaks, sapsuckers, sarks, saskatoons, sauerkrauts, sawbucks, scarfskins, scatbacks, schipperkes, schlockmeisters, schlocks, schmucks, schnooks, schnorkels, schoolbooks, schoolkids, schoolworks, schriks, schticks, schtiks, scorekeepers, scrapbooks, screaks, scrollworks, sculkers, sculks, seacocks, sealskins, seamarks, seaquakes, seasickness, seasicknesses, seatworks, seedcakes, seersuckers, selamliks, semidarkness, semidarknesses, semiweeklies, semiworks, seppukus, shacklebones, shacklers, shackoes, shackos, shacks, shaddocks, shagbarks, shakedowns, shakeouts, shakeups, shakiness, shakinesses, shakoes, shakos, shamrocks, shankpieces, sharkers, sharkskins, shashlicks, shashliks, shasliks, sheepshanks, sheepskins, sheikdoms, sheikhdoms, sheikhs, sheiks, shekels, sheldrakes, shelducks, shellackings, shellacks, shellbacks, shellcrackers, shellworks, sherlocks, shickers, shicksas, shiitakes, shikarees, shikaris, shikars, shikkers, shiksas, shikses, shipwrecks, shirkers, shirks, shirtmakers, shitakes, shlocks, shmucks, shnooks, shockers, shoeblacks, shoemakers, shoepacks, shooks, shopkeepers, shoptalks, shortcakes, shriekers, shrieks, shrikes, shrinkages, shrinkers, shticks, shtiks, shuckers, shuckings, shuckses, shunpikers, shunpikes, shunpikings, shuttlecocks, shylocks, sickbays, sickbeds, sickees, sickeners, sickies, sickishness, sickishnesses, sicklemias, sickles, sicklies, sickliness, sicklinesses, sicknesses, sickouts, sickrooms, sicks, sidestrokes, sidetracks, sifakas … and 431 more

All words that fit SKS
Round 4IED479 words fit

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

iced, idealized, identified, idolized, ignited, ignored, illustrated, imagined, imbedded, imbued, immortalized, impacted, impaired, impaled, impassioned, impeached, impersonated, implanted, implemented, implicated, implied, imported, imposed, impounded, impregnated, impressed, imprisoned, improved, improvised, inbred, incapacitated, incarcerated, incensed, incinerated, inclined, included, increased, incurred, indebted, indeed, indentured, indicated, indicted, induced, indulged, inexperienced, infatuated, infected, infested, infiltrated, inflamed, inflated, inflicted, influenced, informed, infrared, infused, ingested, inhaled, inherited, initiated, injected, injured, inseminated, insinuated, insisted, inspected, inspired, installed, instead, instigated, instilled, instituted, instructed, insulated, insulted, insured, integrated, intend, intended, intercepted, interested, interfered, interpreted, interrogated, interrupted, intertwined, intervened, interviewed, intimated, intimidated, intoxicated, intrigued, introduced, intruded, inundated, invaded, invented, inverted, invested, investigated, invigorated, invited, invoked, involved, ironed, irritated, isolated, issued, icebound, icicled, idealised, ideated, ideologized, idled, idolised, ignified, illegalized, illumed, illuminated, illumined, illuviated, imaged, imbalanced, imbalmed, imbarked, imbed, imbibed, imbittered, imblazed, imbodied, imboldened, imbosomed, imbowered, imbricated, imbrowned, imbrued, imbruted, imitated, immaterialized, immerged, immersed, immeshed, immigrated, immingled, immixed, immobilized, immolated, immortalised, immunised, immunized, immunocompromised, immunoprecipitated, immunosuppressed, immured, impainted, impaneled, impanelled, imparadised, imparked, imparted, impasted, impastoed, impawned, impearled, imped, impeded, impelled, impend, impended, imperiled, imperilled, impersonalized, impetrated, impinged, implead, impleaded, impledged, imploded, implored, imponed, importuned, imposted, impoverished, impowered, imprecated, impregned, imprinted, impugned, impulsed, imputed, inactivated, inarched, inarmed, inaugurated, inbounded, inbreathed, inbreed, incaged, incandesced, incanted, incarnadined, incarnated, incased, incepted, inched, incised, incited, inclasped, inclipped, inclosed, incommoded, inconvenienced, incorporated, incorpsed, incorrupted, incremented, incriminated, incrossed, incrusted, incubated, inculcated, inculpated, incumbered, incurvated, incurved, incused, indagated, indemnified, indented, indexed, indigenized, indigested, indisciplined, indisposed, indited, individualised, individualized, individuated, indoctrinated … and 239 more

All words that fit IED
Round 5LAE278 words fit

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

lace, lacrosse, lactose, ladle, lake, lakeshore, lakeside, lame, lance, landscape, landslide, lane, language, lapse, large, larvae, lasagne, lassie, late, lathe, latitude, latrine, latte, laughable, laureate, laxative, league, lease, leave, legislate, legislative, legislature, legitimate, lemonade, leverage, levitate, liable, liane, lidocaine, ligature, lineage, liquidate, literate, literature, loathe, locale, locate, lovable, loveable, lucrative, luggage, labelable, labialize, labiate, labile, laborite, labradorite, labyrinthine, lacelike, lacerate, lacerative, lachrymose, laciniate, lacquerware, lactase, lactate, lactone, lacunae, lacunate, lacune, lacunose, lacustrine, ladderlike, laddie, lade, ladrone, ladylike, ladylove, laetrile, lagnappe, lagniappe, lagune, laicise, laicize, laitance, lakelike, lambaste, lambie, lamblike, lamellae, lamellate, lamentable, lamiae, laminae, laminate, laminose, lampshade, lanate, lanceolate, landline, landside, langbeinite, langouste, langoustine, langrage, langsyne, langue, lanoline, lanose, lanthanide, laparoscope, lapidate, lapsable, lapsible, lapstrake, lardlike, laree, largesse, larine, larksome, larvicide, laryngectomee, laryngoscope, lase, lassitude, lateralize, laterite, laterize, latinize, latke, lattice, laudable, laudative, launce, launderette, laundrette, laurae, lauwine, lavage, lavaliere, lavalike, lavalliere, lave, lawine, lawlike, lawyerlike, layerage, layette, laypeople, lazarette, laze, lazulite, lazurite, leachable, leachate, leafage, leaflike, leakage, learnable, leasable, leastwise, leatherette, leatherlike, lecithinase, legalese, legalise, legalize, legate, legatee, legatine, legionnaire, legitimatize, lemniscate, lendable, lentamente, leporidae, letterspace, leviable, levigate, levirate, lexicalize, liaise, liberalise, liberalize, liberate, libertinage, librae, librate, licensable, licentiate, lienable, liftable, liftgate, ligase, ligate, ligative, lighterage, lightface, lightplane, lignosulfonate, ligulae, ligulate, likable, likeable, limacine, limbate, limeade, limitable, limitative, linable, linage, lindane, lineable, linearise, linearize, lineate, linguae, linkable, linkage, linoleate, lipase, lipopolysaccharide, liquate, listable, listenable, literalize, litharge, lithophane, litigable, litigate, littermate, livable, liveable, lixiviate, loadable, loadstone, loanable, loathsome, lobate, lobulate … and 38 more

All words that fit LAE
Round 6SOUD73 words fit

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

scoured, scouted, should, shouted, shroud, sound, sounded, southbound, sprouted, surround, surrounded, savoured, scourged, scouthered, scrouged, scrounged, shotgunned, shouldered, shrouded, silhouetted, sleuthhound, slouched, sloughed, smouldered, snouted, snowbound, softbound, sojourned, soliloquised, soliloquized, soliquid, solubilised, solubilized, somersaulted, somnambulated, souffled, souffleed, soughed, souled, soundboard, soundproofed, souped, sourced, soured, sourwood, soused, southeastward, southed, southernwood, southland, southward, southwestward, spellbound, sporulated, spoused, spouted, staghound, stormbound, stound, stounded, stoutened, stouthearted, strikebound, stroud, succoured, superabound, superabounded, superconducted, superovulated, surmounted, swound, swounded, swouned

All words that fit SOUD
Round 7MANA49 words fit

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

madonna, magnolia, manila, manna, mantra, marijuana, marina, macroglobulinemia, madrona, magenta, magnesia, mahonia, malaguena, malanga, mana, manana, mandala, mandioca, mandola, mandragora, manga, mania, manilla, manioca, manta, mantilla, mantissa, mantua, manubria, manzanita, maranta, marginalia, marihuana, marinara, mediastina, megafauna, megalomania, megasporangia, melancholia, melanoma, melanomata, memoranda, microfauna, microsporangia, miscellanea, monomania, mridanga, myasthenia, mythomania

All words that fit MANA
Round 8WLLY44 words fit

starts with W and ends with Y, with L then L in between, in that order.

wallaby, wally, wholeheartedly, wholly, wildly, willfully, willingly, willy, wonderfully, woolly, worldly, wrongfully, wailfully, wakefully, wastefully, watchfully, wavelessly, wealthily, wearifully, wearilessly, weaselly, weevilly, weightlessly, welcomely, welladay, wellaway, welly, whimsically, wholesomely, wilfully, wilily, willowy, windlessly, wishfully, wistfully, witlessly, woefully, wofully, wolfishly, woollily, wordlessly, worshipfully, worthlessly, wrathfully

All words that fit WLLY
Round 9ILLNS76 words fit

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

illness, illnesses, illusions, installments, illations, illegalizations, illiberalness, illiberalnesses, illicitness, illimitableness, illimitablenesses, illiniums, illiterateness, illiteratenesses, illogicalness, illogicalnesses, illuminances, illuminants, illuminates, illuminations, illuminators, illumines, illuminisms, illuminists, illusionisms, illusionists, illusiveness, illusivenesses, illusoriness, illusorinesses, illustrations, illustriousness, illustriousnesses, illuviations, immunoglobulins, inalterableness, inalterablenesses, inconsolableness, inconsolablenesses, indissolubleness, indissolublenesses, inexplicableness, inexplicablenesses, inflammableness, inflammablenesses, inflexibleness, inflexiblenesses, insolubilizations, insolubleness, insolublenesses, installations, instillations, instillments, intellections, intellectualizations, intellectualness, intellectualnesses, intelligencers, intelligences, intelligentsias, intelligibleness, intelligiblenesses, interpellations, intolerableness, intolerablenesses, invaluableness, invaluablenesses, inviolableness, inviolablenesses, invulnerableness, invulnerablenesses, irreconcilableness, irreconcilablenesses, irreplaceableness, irreplaceablenesses, isoalloxazines

All words that fit ILLNS
Round 10BBIES74 words fit

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

babies, babysitters, blueberries, boobies, bubbies, babesioses, babesiosises, babiches, backbiters, backbites, baneberries, bankabilities, barbarities, barbarizes, barberries, barbicels, barbitones, barbiturates, barbwires, bayberries, bearabilities, bearberries, believabilities, berberines, berberises, bibberies, bibliographers, bibliographies, bibliolaters, bibliolatries, bibliologies, bibliopegies, bibliopegists, bibliophiles, bibliophilies, bibliopoles, bibliothecas, bibliotherapies, biddabilities, bilberries, bioavailabilities, biocompatibilities, biodegradabilities, blackberries, blackbirders, blackbodies, blaeberries, bloodmobiles, boatbuilders, bobberies, bobbies, bobbinets, bobwhites, bodybuilders, bombardiers, bombazines, bombinates, booboisies, bookbinderies, bookbinders, bookmobiles, bouillabaisses, boxberries, boysenberries, breathabilities, briberies, brumbies, brushabilities, bubalises, bubblies, buffaloberries, bunchberries, busbies, busybodies

All words that fit BBIES

Questions

What were the answers to Wordspine #36?
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.