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Wordspine #37

Monday, September 28, 2026

Answers for puzzle #37. 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 KS. A word like kabob looks close but doesn't count — it starts with K but ends with B, not S. Order is the whole game.

Pro — four levels

Level 1KS738 words fit

starts with K and ends with S.

keepers, keeps, kegs, keyboards, keys, khakis, kickbacks, kicks, kiddies, kidnappers, kidnaps, kidneys, kids, killers, killings, kills, kilometers, kilos, kindergartners, kindness, kinds, kingdoms, kings, kins, kiss, kisses, kites, kittens, kitties, kneecaps … and 708 more

All words that fit KS

Scoring on this level: KEGS = 6 points, KINDERGARTNERS = 16 points.

Level 2CME314 words fit

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

came, campfire, carmine, cashmere, cellmate, chamomile, champagne, checkmate, chime, chimpanzee, chrome, circumference, circumstance, clambake, classmate, claymore, clementine, climate, cockamamie, comatose, combative, combine, combustible, come, comeuppance, comfortable, commence, commendable, commensurate, commerce … and 284 more

All words that fit CME

Scoring on this level: CAME = 8 points, CIRCUMFERENCE = 17 points.

Level 3CANT139 words fit

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

cabernet, cabinet, candlelight, candlelit, cannot, cant, cartoonist, chant, clairvoyant, clarinet, cleanest, cognizant, commandant, commandment, compartment, complacent, complaint, compliant, concealment, confidant, constant, consultant, containment, contestant, coolant, covenant, cadent, cajolement, calamint, callant … and 109 more

All words that fit CANT

Scoring on this level: CANT = 10 points, CANDLELIGHT = 17 points.

Level 4PSION122 words fit

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

passion, pension, permission, perspiration, persuasion, perversion, pincushion, position, possession, precision, predisposition, prescription, presentation, preservation, procession, profession, progression, proposition, propulsion, prosecution, prostitution, provision, parasitization, passivation, pasteurization, pepsinogen, percussion, perfusion, persecution, perseveration … and 92 more

All words that fit PSION

Scoring on this level: PASSION = 15 points, PREDISPOSITION = 22 points.

Ranks on this day

  • Beginner0
  • Good Start26
  • Moving Up59
  • Good98
  • Solid163
  • Nice247
  • Great338
  • Genius455
  • Perfect650
Play this Pro day

Sprint — ten rounds

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

Round 1PK94 words fit

starts with P and ends with K.

pack, paddock, padlock, paperback, paperwork, park, payback, paycheck, peak, peck, peek, perk, pick, piggyback, pink, pitchfork, plank, playbook, pluck, pocketbook, pollack, pollock, poppycock, pork, postmark, prank, prick, puck, punk, packsack, padauk, padouk, paik, paintwork, partook, pashalik, passagework, passbook, patchwork, peacenik, peacock, penstock, petcock, photomask, pickaback, picklock, pickthank, pickwick, piddock, piecework, pigstick, pinchbeck, pincheck, pinprick, pinwork, pipsqueak, pirozhok, placekick, plack, plasterwork, playback, plink, plonk, plowback, plunk, pock, pockmark, politick, portapack, portapak, postattack, pothook, potluck, prebook, precheck, precook, predusk, prefrank, prepack, prerock, preshrank, preshrink, preshrunk, presoak, pressmark, presswork, prework, princock, prink, promptbook, psalmbook, pugmark, pulik, pullback

All words that fit PK
Round 2VD185 words fit

starts with V and ends with D.

vacated, vaccinated, vacuumed, vagabond, valid, validated, valued, vandalized, vanished, vanquished, vapid, vaporized, varied, veered, veiled, vented, ventilated, verified, versed, vested, vetoed, vetted, videotaped, viewed, vindicated, violated, visited, vivid, voiced, void, volunteered, voted, vouched, vowed, vacationed, vacationland, vacillated, vacuolated, vagabonded, vailed, valanced, valeted, valgoid, valorised, valorized, valuated, valved, vamoosed, vamosed, vamped, vandalised, vandyked, vaned, vanguard, vanitied, vanned, vanward, vaped, vapored, vaporised, vapoured, variated, varicolored, varicosed, variegated, varisized, varnished, varoomed, varved, vasectomized, vaticinated, vatted, vaulted, vaunted, vaward, vealed, vectored, vegetated, veined, velarized, veld, velured, velveted, vend, vended, veneered, venenated, venerated, venged, venomed, ventriloquized, ventured, verandaed, verandahed, verbalized, verbid, verbified, verdigrised, verdured, verecund, verged, vermiculated, vernalized, versified, vesicated, vesiculated, vespid, vesseled, vestibuled, vestured, vexed, vialed, vialled, viand, vibrated, vibrioid, viced, victimhood, victimised, victimized, victualed, victualled, videoland, vied, vignetted, vilified, vilipend, vilipended, vined, vinegared, vineyard, vinified, virid, viroid, visaed, visaged, visard, viscid, viscoid, vised, viseed, visioned, visored, vistaed, visualised, visualized, vitalised, vitalized, vitiated, vitrified, vitrioled, vitriolled, vittled, vituperated, viverrid, vivified, vivisected, vizard, vizarded, vizored, vlogged, vocalised, vocalized, vociferated, vogued, voided, volatilised, volatilized, voled, volkslied, volleyed, volplaned, volumed, voluted, vomited, voodooed, vouchered, vouchsafed, vowelized, voyaged, vroomed, vulcanised, vulcanized, vulgarised, vulgarized

All words that fit VD
Round 3IUT72 words fit

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

impudent, inducement, indulgent, industrialist, input, inquest, instruct, instrument, insufficient, insult, interrupt, illuminant, illuminist, illusionist, immunoblot, immunochemist, immunocompetent, immunodeficient, immunofluorescent, immunogeneticist, immunohematologist, immunologist, immunopathologist, immunosorbent, immunosuppressant, immurement, impoundment, imprudent, impuissant, impurest, inbuilt, inburst, incongruent, inconsequent, incorrupt, incrust, incult, incumbent, incurrent, indevout, individualist, induct, indult, ineloquent, influent, infought, infrequent, inoculant, inquiet, insouciant, institutionalist, instrumentalist, insulant, insurant, insurgent, insurrectionist, integument, intellectualist, intercurrent, intercut, interunit, interwrought, intriguant, intrust, intuit, intuitionist, intumescent, intussuscept, inundant, inurement, irrupt, issuant

All words that fit IUT
Round 4SPN186 words fit

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

salesperson, scorpion, separation, sheepskin, simpleton, sophistication, span, spartan, spawn, specimen, speculation, spin, spleen, spoken, spokesman, spokesperson, spoon, sprain, spun, stepson, stipulation, subscription, superman, superstition, supervision, superwoman, supposition, suppression, suspension, suspicion, syphon, salpian, saltpan, sampan, sapogenin, saponification, saponin, saucepan, scalepan, scarfpin, scleroprotein, sculpin, scyphozoan, semiporcelain, septendecillion, septentrion, septillion, septuagenarian, seraphin, sesquipedalian, sexploitation, shapen, sharpen, sheepman, sheepmen, shipman, shipmen, shippen, shippon, shopman, shopmen, shopworn, shwanpan, sidespin, simplification, siphon, slumpflation, snapdragon, somatotrophin, somatotropin, sorption, soupcon, soupspoon, spaceman, spacemen, spallation, spalpeen, spavin, spean, speargun, spearman, spearmen, specialisation, specialization, speciation, specification, spectinomycin, spelaean, spelean, spermatozoan, spermatozoon, sphenodon, spiculation, spiegeleisen, spilikin, spillikin, spiritualization, spittoon, splashdown, spleuchan, spoilsman, spoilsmen, spokesmen, spokeswoman, spokeswomen, spoliation, spongin, sponsion, sponson, spontoon, sporopollenin, sporozoan, sporozoon, sporran, sportfisherman, sportfishermen, sportsman, sportsmen, sportswoman, sportswomen, sporulation, spurn, steapsin, steepen, stepchildren, stereopticon, stewpan, stickpin, streptolysin, streptomycin, streptothricin, strophanthin, stupefaction, suboptimization, subpopulation, subreption, subsumption, superaddition, superaltern, superannuation, supercivilization, superclean, supercorporation, superelevation, supererogation, superfan, superfecundation, superfetation, superharden, superhuman, superimposition, superinduction, superinfection, superlain, supermen, supermodern, supernation, supernutrition, superovulation, superperson, superphenomenon, superposition, supersalesman, supersalesmen, supersaturation, superscription, supersession, superspecialization, superspeculation, superstation, supersurgeon, superthin, supervention, superweapon, superwomen, supination, supplantation, supplementation, suppletion, supplication, suppuration, suspiration, swanpan, sympathin, syncopation, syrphian

All words that fit SPN
Round 5SAG584 words fit

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

sabotaging, sacrificing, sagging, sailing, saluting, salvaging, sampling, sandbag, sanding, sang, satisfying, saving, savoring, sawing, saying, scag, scalding, scalping, scamming, scanning, scarfing, scaring, scattering, scavenging, scintillating, scrambling, scraping, scratching, screaming, scumbag, sealing, searching, seating, separating, shading, shadowing, shag, shagging, shaking, shaming, shaping, sharing, sharking, sharpening, shattering, shaving, shebang, signaling, skag, skating, slamming, slang, slapping, slashing, slaughtering, slaying, sleazebag, sleepwalking, smashing, smearing, snacking, snag, snagging, snapping, snarling, snatching, sneaking, snowballing, soaking, soaring, socializing, spacing, spanking, sparing, sparkling, sparring, speaking, specializing, speculating, spiraling, splashing, sprang, spraying, spreading, squaring, squashing, squatting, squawking, squeaking, stabbing, stabilizing, stag, staggering, staging, staking, stalking, stalling, stammering, standing, stang, staring, starling, starring, starting, startling, starving, stating, staying, stealing, steaming, stimulating, straddling, straightening, straining, strangling, strapping, strategizing, streaming, sublimating, suffocating, sunbathing, sustaining, swaddling, swallowing, swapping, swarming, swatting, swaying, swearing, sweating, sabbing, sabeing, sabering, sabring, saccharifying, sacking, sacring, saddening, saddlebag, saddling, safariing, safecracking, safeguarding, safekeeping, safetying, sag, saggaring, saggering, sailboarding, sailboating, sailplaning, saining, sainting, salaaming, saladang, salarying, salifying, salinizing, salivating, sallowing, sallying, salting, salving, salvoing, sambaing, sanctifying, sanctioning, sandaling, sandalling, sandbagging, sandblasting, sanderling, sandhog, sandling, sandpainting, sandpapering, sandwiching, saning, sanitating, sanitising, sanitizing, sapling, saponifying, sapping, sarong, sashaying, sashing, sassing, satang, satelliting, satiating, sating, satirising, satirizing, saturating, saucing, saunaing, sauntering, sauteing, savaging, savouring, savvying, sawlog, scabbarding, scabbing, scabbling, scaffolding, scalawag, scaling, scalloping, scallywag, scampering, scamping, scandaling, scandalising, scandalizing, scandalling, scandalmongering, scanting, scantling, scapegoating, scaping, scarifying, scarpering, scarphing, scarping, scarring, scarting, scathing, scatting, schematizing, schismatizing, schoolbag, sclaffing, scrabbling, scrag, scragging, scraiching, scraighing, scramming … and 344 more

All words that fit SAG
Round 6PIMS278 words fit

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

perimeters, pilgrims, pimples, premiums, primaries, primates, punishments, pacificisms, pacifisms, paeanisms, paedomorphisms, paganisms, paleoclimatologies, paleoclimatologists, paleomagnetisms, palimonies, palimpsests, palindromes, palindromists, palladiums, palliums, paludisms, pancratiums, pandemoniums, panicums, pantheisms, pantomimes, pantomimists, papillomas, papillomatous, papillomavirus, papillomaviruses, paradigms, parajournalisms, parallelisms, paralogisms, paramagnetisms, parameciums, parasitisms, parathyroidectomies, parecisms, parkinsonisms, parliamentarians, parliaments, parochialisms, parsimonies, parsimonious, particularisms, passivisms, pastimes, pastoralisms, paternalisms, patrimonies, patriotisms, pauperisms, paynims, peacetimes, pedestrianisms, pediments, pelargoniums, penicillamines, penultimas, penultimates, peonisms, peponiums, perfectionisms, periblems, periderms, perilymphs, peristomes, peritoneums, peroxisomes, persimmons, personalisms, pessimisms, pessimists, phallicisms, phallisms, pharisaisms, phenomenalisms, phenylthiocarbamides, philharmonics, philhellenisms, philistinisms, phillumenists, philomels, phimoses, phimosis, phonocardiograms, phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphoniums, photochromisms, photojournalisms, photoperiodisms, photopolarimeters, phototropisms, physicalisms, physiognomies, physostigmines, pianisms, pianissimos, piclorams, picograms, picomoles, pictograms, pictorialisms, piedmonts, pietisms, piezometers, pigmentations, pigments, pigmies, pilgrimages, pimas, pimentos, pimientos, pimpernels, pimpmobiles, pimps, pinealectomies, pinealectomizes, pinworms, pipestems, piroplasms, pisiforms, pismires, pitmans, pittosporums, plagiarisms, planetariums, planetesimals, planimeters, platinums, playtimes, plebeianisms, pleinairisms, plenisms, pleochroisms, pleomorphisms, plimsoles, plimsolls, plimsols, plumbisms, pluralisms, plutoniums, pococurantisms, podiums, poeticisms, poikilotherms, pointillisms, polarimeters, polarimetries, polemoniums, poliomyelitides, poliomyelitis, poloniums, polycentrisms, polyglotisms, polyglottisms, polymerisms, polymorphisms, polyribosomes, polytheisms, populisms, porisms, positivisms, positroniums, postmillenarianisms, postmillennialisms, postmodernisms, poststimulus, potassiums, potentiometers, practicums, praesidiums, pragmaticisms, pragmatisms, praseodymiums, predestinarianisms, predicaments, preexperiments, prefigurements, preliminaries, prelimits, prelims, premillenarianisms, premillennialisms, preordainments, preretirements, presentiments, presentisms, presidiums, pretrims, priapisms, priggisms, primacies, primages, primalities, primas, primatals, primateships, primatologies, primatologists, primeness, primenesses, primeros, primers, primes, primines, primings, primiparas, primiparous, primitiveness, primitivenesses, primitives, primitivisms, primitivists, primitivities, primness, primnesses, primogenitors, primogenitures, primos, primps, primroses, prims, primulas, primus, primuses, princedoms, printmakers, printmakings, prismatoids, prismoids, prisms, privatisms, probabilisms, procambiums, proclaimers, proclaims … and 38 more

All words that fit PIMS
Round 7ECTD67 words fit

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

educated, effected, elected, electrified, electrocuted, emancipated, enacted, enchanted, encountered, encrusted, encrypted, escalated, escorted, evacuated, evicted, eviscerated, excepted, excited, excommunicated, executed, expected, extracted, edulcorated, effectuated, ejaculated, ejected, electioneered, electrodeposited, electroed, electroformed, electrolyzed, electrophoresed, electroplated, electrotyped, elicited, elucidated, elucubrated, emaciated, emasculated, encapsulated, encysted, enucleated, enunciated, equivocated, eradicated, erected, eructated, eructed, escheated, escoted, eutectoid, exacerbated, exacted, excavated, excerpted, excogitated, excoriated, excreted, excruciated, exculpated, execrated, expectorated, explicated, exsected, exsiccated, extincted, extricated

All words that fit ECTD
Round 8STIN259 words fit

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

salvation, sanction, sanitation, satin, satisfaction, saturation, section, sedation, seduction, selection, sensation, separation, serotonin, simulation, situation, solicitation, solution, sophistication, speculation, stain, stallion, starvation, station, staycation, stein, stimulation, stipulation, straighten, strain, strangulation, stricken, subjugation, subscription, substation, suction, suffocation, suggestion, summation, superstition, supposition, sustain, sabermetrician, saccharification, sacculation, salinization, salivation, saltation, salutation, salutatorian, sanctification, sanitarian, sanitization, santonin, saponification, satiation, saturnalian, saxitoxin, scarification, scatteration, scatterbrain, schematization, scintillation, scleroprotein, sclerotin, sclerotization, seatrain, secretin, secretion, sectarian, secularization, securitization, sedimentation, sedition, segmentation, segregation, semiabstraction, semidomestication, semiotician, senatorian, sensitisation, sensitization, sensualization, sentimentalization, septendecillion, septentrion, septillion, septuagenarian, sequestration, serialization, serration, sexploitation, sextain, sextillion, sexualization, sibilation, signalization, signification, silicification, siltation, simplification, slumpflation, socialization, solarization, solation, solemnization, solidification, solifluction, solitudinarian, solmization, solubilization, solvation, somatomedin, somatostatin, somatotrophin, somatotropin, somnambulation, sonication, sorption, sortition, sovietization, spallation, specialisation, specialization, speciation, specification, spectinomycin, spiculation, spiritualization, spoliation, sportfisherman, sportfishermen, sporulation, squamation, stabilization, stagflation, stagnation, stanchion, standardization, stasimon, statistician, steapsin, stearin, stentorian, stepchildren, stereopticon, sterilization, sternutation, stickman, stickmen, stickpin, stiction, stiffen, stigmatization, stillborn, stillman, stillmen, stinkhorn, straiten, stratification, streptolysin, streptomycin, streptothricin, striation, stridden, stridulation, striven, strobilation, strophanthin, structuralization, structuration, stultification, stupefaction, stygian, stylization, suballocation, subaudition, subcategorization, subclassification, subcollection, subduction, suberization, subgeneration, subinfeudation, subirrigation, subjection, subjectivization, subjunction, sublation, sublimation, subluxation, submunition, suboptimization, subordination, suborganization, subornation, subpopulation, subreption, subrogation, subsaturation, subsection, subsidization, substantiation, substitution, subsumption, subtilin, subtilisin, subtilization, subtraction, suburbanization, subvention, subvocalization, suctorian, sudation, suffixation, sulfonation, summarization, superaddition, superannuation, supercivilization, supercorporation, superelevation, supererogation, superfecundation, superfetation, superimposition, superinduction, superinfection, supernation, supernutrition, superovulation, superposition, supersaturation, superscription, superspecialization, superspeculation, superstation, superthin, supervention, supination, supplantation … and 19 more

All words that fit STIN
Round 9HRING135 words fit

starts with H and ends with G, with R then I then N in between, in that order.

hammering, hamstring, handwriting, hankering, harassing, harboring, harbouring, hardworking, harming, harping, harrowing, hearing, heartbreaking, heartwarming, hemorrhaging, herding, herring, hibernating, hiring, hoarding, hollering, honoring, honouring, horrifying, horsing, housewarming, hovering, humoring, hurling, hurrying, hurting, hurtling, hachuring, hagriding, haircutting, hairdressing, hairsplitting, hairspring, hairstyling, hallmarking, halterbreaking, haltering, hampering, hamstringing, handcrafting, handrailing, handspring, handwringing, hangaring, haranguing, harbingering, hardening, hardstanding, hardwiring, haring, harkening, harking, harmonising, harmonizing, harnessing, harpooning, harrumphing, harrying, harshening, harumphing, harvesting, havering, hazarding, headquartering, headspring, hearkening, hearsing, heartburning, heartening, hearting, heartrending, heartstring, hebraizing, hectographing, hectoring, heiring, helicoptering, heliographing, heralding, herniating, heroizing, herringboning, herrying, heterodyning, hierarchizing, hindering, hireling, hirpling, hirseling, hirselling, hirsling, historicizing, hoarsening, holographing, holstering, homeporting, homering, hoorahing, hooraying, hording, horning, hornswoggling, horseshoeing, horsewhipping, hotpressing, housebreaking, huckstering, humouring, hungering, hunkering, hurdling, hurrahing, hurraying, hybridizing, hydrating, hydrocracking, hydrogenating, hydrolyzing, hydroplaning, hydroxylating, hyperbolizing, hyperextending, hyperfunctioning, hyperimmunizing, hyperlinking, hyperpolarizing, hypersensitizing, hyperstimulating, hypertrophying, hyperventilating

All words that fit HRING
Round 10RAIER40 words fit

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

raider, rainier, raiser, remainder, retainer, rabbiter, racier, racketier, radiometer, radiotracer, raggedier, ragpicker, railer, railroader, rainmaker, rainwater, rainwear, rallier, rammier, randier, randomizer, rangier, rapider, rapier, rarefier, raspier, ratifier, rationalizer, rattier, raunchier, ravisher, readier, realiser, realizer, recamier, regainer, reorganizer, repairer, restrainer, retailer

All words that fit RAIER

Questions

What were the answers to Wordspine #37?
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.