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Wordspine #4

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Answers for puzzle #4. 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 AT. A word like aardvark looks close but doesn't count — it starts with A but ends with K, not T. Order is the whole game.

Pro — four levels

Level 1AT550 words fit

starts with A and ends with T.

abandonment, abbot, abduct, abort, about, abreast, abrupt, absent, absorbent, abstract, abundant, abut, accelerant, accent, accept, accident, accomplishment, account, accountant, achievement, acquaint, acrobat, act, acupuncturist, adamant, adapt, addict, adept, adjacent, adjust … and 520 more

All words that fit AT

Scoring on this level: ACT = 5 points, ACCOMPLISHMENT = 16 points.

Level 2CIG1102 words fit

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

cackling, calculating, calling, calming, campaigning, camping, canceling, capping, captioning, captivating, capturing, caring, carjacking, caroling, carolling, carpeting, carrying, carting, carving, cashing, casing, casting, cataloging, catching, catering, caterwauling, causing, ceiling, celebrating, chafing … and 1072 more

All words that fit CIG

Scoring on this level: CARING = 10 points, CATERWAULING = 16 points.

Level 3FOLS279 words fit

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

foibles, folds, folks, followers, follows, foolishness, fools, formulas, foxholes, frivolous, factionalisms, factorials, falderols, faldstools, fanfolds, farandoles, farnesols, fascioliases, fascioliasis, fashionabilities, fashionableness, fashionablenesses, fashionables, fathomless, fathomlessness, fathomlessnesses, favorableness, favorablenesses, feedholes, ferroelectricities … and 249 more

All words that fit FOLS

Scoring on this level: FOLDS = 11 points, FERROELECTRICITIES = 24 points.

Level 4DATIG169 words fit

starts with D and ends with G, with A then T then I in between, in that order.

dating, daunting, debating, debilitating, decorating, dedicating, departing, deprecating, detonating, devastating, dictating, disappointing, discriminating, disheartening, dismantling, distracting, dominating, donating, drafting, drawstring, daguerreotyping, darting, dartling, datelining, dauting, dawting, daylighting, deactivating, deadlifting, deaerating … and 139 more

All words that fit DATIG

Scoring on this level: DATING = 14 points, DAGUERREOTYPING = 23 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 1GT309 words fit

starts with G and ends with T.

gadget, gallant, gambit, gamut, garment, garnet, gasket, gaslight, gat, gault, gauntlet, gayest, gearshift, geneticist, geologist, get, ghost, giant, gift, gilbert, gimlet, gist, git, glint, gloat, gnat, goat, goblet, got, gourmet, gout, government, grandparent, grant, grapefruit, gravest, great, greatest, greet, grift, grunt, guest, guilt, guitarist, gunpoint, gunshot, gut, gynecologist, gabbart, gabbiest, gabfest, gadabout, gainliest, gainst, gait, galavant, galiot, galipot, galivant, gallet, galliot, gallipot, gallivant, gallnut, galloot, galoot, gamest, gamiest, gammiest, gangliest, gannet, gantlet, gappiest, gardant, garget, garnishment, garret, gashest, gaslit, gassiest, gast, gastight, gastroenterologist, gastronomist, gastroscopist, gatepost, gauchest, gaudiest, gaunt, gauntest, gauziest, gavot, gawkiest, gedankenexperiment, geekiest, geest, gelant, gellant, gelt, gemeinschaft, gemmiest, gemmologist, gemologist, gemot, gemutlichkeit, genealogist, generalist, genet, gent, genteelest, gentlest, genuflect, geobotanist, geochemist, geochronologist, geodesist, geohydrologist, geomorphologist, geophysicist, geoscientist, geostrategist, gerent, germiest, gerontocrat, gerontologist, gesellschaft, gest, gestalt, gestaltist, gesticulant, gesundheit, ghast, ghastliest, ghat, ghaut, ghostiest, ghostliest, gibbet, giblet, giddiest, gigabit, gigawatt, giggliest, giglet, giglot, gigot, gillnet, gilt, gimpiest, gingerroot, ginniest, girt, gjetost, glabrescent, glaciologist, gladdest, gladiest, gladliest, gladsomest, glaiket, glaikit, glairiest, glariest, glasnost, glassiest, glasswort, glaziest, gleamiest, gleet, gleetiest, glibbest, glitziest, globalist, globbiest, gloomiest, glossarist, glossiest, glossolalist, glost, glout, gluepot, gluiest, glummest, glumpiest, glut, gnarliest, gnattiest, gnomist, goalpost, gobbet, godet, godliest, godparent, godwit, goggliest, goglet, goldenest, goldest, goodliest, goodnight, goofiest, gooiest, goopiest, goosefoot, goosiest, gorget, goriest, gorsiest, gosport, goutiest, governmentalist, grabbiest, gracefullest, gradient, gradualist, graffitist, graft, grainiest, grandaunt, grandest, grandiloquent, grapeshot, grapholect, graphologist, grapiest, grassiest, grassroot, grat, gratefullest, grayest, grayout, greasepaint, greasiest, greatcoat, greediest, greenbelt, greenest, greenheart, greeniest, greenlet … and 69 more

All words that fit GT
Round 2ME964 words fit

starts with M and ends with E.

mace, mache, machete, machine, madame, made, madeleine, mademoiselle, madre, mae, magazine, magdalene, magistrate, magnificence, magnitude, mainframe, mainline, maintenance, make, male, malfeasance, malice, malpractice, malware, mamie, manage, manatee, mandate, mandrake, manhandle, manhole, manicure, manipulate, manipulative, manticore, mantle, manufacture, manure, maple, marble, mare, marge, marinate, marine, maritime, marketplace, marmalade, marquee, marriage, masculine, masquerade, massacre, massage, masseuse, massive, masterpiece, mate, materialize, matinee, mature, maximize, maybe, mayonnaise, maze, meanie, meantime, meanwhile, measure, meddle, meddlesome, medicare, medicate, medicine, mediocre, meditate, megaphone, membrane, meme, memorable, memorize, menace, menage, menagerie, menopause, merchandise, mere, meringue, merle, mescaline, mesquite, message, metaverse, meteorite, methadone, mettle, mezzanine, mice, microphone, microscope, microwave, middle, midge, midlife, midwife, migraine, migrate, mike, mile, mileage, milestone, millionaire, mime, mince, mine, mingle, miniature, minimize, miniscule, minuscule, minute, miracle, mirage, misbehave, miscarriage, miserable, misfortune, misplace, missile, misspoke, mistake, mistletoe, misuse, mite, mixture, mobile, mobilize, mode, module, moisture, moisturize, mole, molecule, mollie, monde, mongoose, monologue, monoxide, montage, monte, moose, mope, morale, more, morgue, morphine, morse, mortgage, mosque, mote, motivate, motive, motorbike, motorcade, motorcycle, mountainside, mouse, mousse, moustache, mouthpiece, move, movie, moxie, muddle, mule, multiple, multitude, mumble, mundane, muscle, muse, muskie, mustache, mute, mutilate, muzzle, myrtle, mabe, macabre, macadamize, macaque, macchie, macedoine, macerate, machinable, machinate, machineable, machinelike, machree, mackle, macle, macrame, macroaggregate, macrocyte, macrogamete, macromere, macromolecule, macrophage, macrophyte, macroscale, macrostructure, maculae, maculate, macule, madhouse, madrepore, madreporite, madrilene, madrone, mage, magistrature, magnate, magnesite, magnetise, magnetite, magnetizable, magnetize, magnetopause, magnetoresistance, magnetosphere, magnetostrictive, magniloquence, magpie, maharanee, mahoe, maigre, mailable, maile, maintainable, maisonette, maize … and 724 more

All words that fit ME
Round 3CMS1304 words fit

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

calamitous, calms, camels, cameras, campaigns, campers, campos, camps, campus, campuses, cams, caymans, cellmates, cemeteries, centimeters, ceremonies, chambers, champions, championships, champs, charms, chemicals, chimps, chompers, chromosomes, chumps, chums, circumstances, claims, clams, classmates, classrooms, claymores, clementines, climbers, clumps, clumsiness, columnists, columns, comas, combines, comebacks, comedians, comedies, comers, comes, comforts, comics, commanders, commandments, commandos, commands, commentaries, comments, commercials, commies, commissioners, commitments, commits, committees, commodities, communications, communists, communities, companies, companions, compares, compartments, compass, compels, competitions, competitors, complains, complaints, completes, complexities, complicates, complications, compliments, components, composers, compounds, compressions, compromises, computers, comrades, condoms, confirms, consumers, consumes, cosmetics, cosmos, costumes, courtrooms, cramps, crimes, criminalistics, criminals, crumbles, crumbs, crumpets, customers, customs, cabalisms, cabbageworms, cabinetmakers, cabinetmakings, cablegrams, cabombas, caciquisms, cacodemons, cacomistles, cacomixls, caddisworms, cadmiums, caeomas, caesiums, cafetoriums, caimans, cairngorms, cajolements, caladiums, calamanders, calamaries, calamaris, calamars, calamines, calamints, calamites, calamities, calamondins, calamus, calcimines, calciums, californiums, callithumps, calmatives, calmness, calmnesses, calmodulins, calomels, calorimeters, calorimetries, calumets, calumniates, calumniations, calumniators, calumnies, calumnious, camails, camaraderies, camarillas, camas, camases, camass, camasses, cambers, cambisms, cambists, cambiums, cambogias, cambrics, camcorders, camelbacks, cameleers, camelias, camellias, camelopards, cameos, camerapersons, camerlengos, cames, camions, camisades, camisadoes, camisados, camisas, camises, camisias, camisoles, camlets, camomiles, camorras, camouflages, campaigners, campaniles, campanologies, campanologists, campanulas, campcrafts, campesinos, campfires, campgrounds, camphenes, camphines, camphires, camphols, camphoraceous, camphorates, camphors, campiness, campinesses, campings, campions, campongs, camporees, campsites, campylobacters, campylotropous, camshafts, candelabrums, cankerworms, cannibalisms, cantonments, capitalisms, capmakers, caprolactams, capsicums, capsomers, carambolas, caramelises, caramelizes, caramels, carbamates, carbamides, carbamyls, carboxymethylcelluloses, carcinomas, carcinomatoses, carcinomatosis, carcinomatosises, carcinomatous, carcinosarcomas, cardamoms, cardamons, cardamums, cardiograms, cardiomyopathies, careerisms, carmagnoles … and 1064 more

All words that fit CMS
Round 4AHC133 words fit

starts with A and ends with C, with H in between, in that order.

aesthetic, alcoholic, anaesthetic, anaphylactic, anesthetic, aphrodisiac, archaic, arithmetic, athletic, authentic, achlorhydric, achondritic, achondroplastic, achromatic, achromic, acidophilic, actinomorphic, adrenocorticotrophic, aerothermodynamic, aetheric, agoraphobic, agraphic, ahistoric, alchemic, alchemistic, aldehydic, algorithmic, aliphatic, alkahestic, allelomorphic, allelopathic, allographic, allomorphic, allophonic, alphabetic, alphameric, alphanumeric, amenorrheic, amphibrachic, amphictyonic, amphipathic, amphiphilic, amphisbaenic, amphitheatric, amphoteric, anachronic, anachronistic, anacoluthic, anaglyphic, analphabetic, anamorphic, anaphasic, anaphoric, anaphrodisiac, anarchic, anarchistic, anchoritic, anechoic, anencephalic, angiocardiographic, angiographic, anhedonic, anorthic, anorthitic, anorthositic, anthelmintic, anthracitic, anthropic, anthropocentric, anthropogenic, anthropometric, anthropomorphic, antiaphrodisiac, antiarrhythmic, antiarthritic, anticholinergic, antiheroic, antihistaminic, antihumanistic, antihysteric, antilogarithmic, antipathetic, antiphlogistic, antipornographic, antipsychotic, antirachitic, antirheumatic, antischizophrenic, antistrophic, antisyphilitic, antithetic, aortographic, apathetic, aphaeretic, aphanitic, aphasiac, aphasic, aphetic, aphonic, aphoristic, aphotic, apochromatic, apostrophic, apothegmatic, archaistic, archangelic, archbishopric, archipelagic, architectonic, arrhythmic, arteriographic, arthralgic, arthritic, arthroscopic, arythmic, asphaltic, aspheric, asthenic, asthenospheric, asthmatic, atechnic, atheistic, atherogenic, atherosclerotic, atmospheric, atrophic, autarchic, autobiographic, autographic, autohypnotic, autoradiographic, autotrophic, auxotrophic

All words that fit AHC
Round 5SUT320 words fit

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

sauerkraut, sawdust, scout, shootout, shortcut, shout, shunt, shut, slut, snout, sought, southeast, southwest, spurt, squat, squirt, stakeout, stardust, strumpet, strut, student, stunt, stupidest, subbasement, subject, sublet, submit, subservient, subtext, subvert, succinct, succulent, sufficient, sugarcoat, suggest, suit, summit, sunlight, sunset, superintendent, supermarket, supplement, support, suspect, swimsuit, sacbut, sackbut, sagbut, saturant, sauceboat, sauciest, sault, savouriest, schuit, scoutcraft, scroungiest, scrubbiest, scruffiest, sculpt, scummiest, scurfiest, scurviest, scut, scuttlebutt, scuzziest, seamount, seascout, secularist, securement, securest, sederunt, seducement, sellout, semitranslucent, sensualist, sequent, sericulturist, seropurulent, setout, sextuplet, shakeout, shouldest, shouldst, shrubbiest, shutout, sickout, silhouettist, silviculturist, simulant, simulcast, sinciput, slipout, slouchiest, sloughiest, sludgiest, slugfest, slummiest, slungshot, slushiest, sluttiest, smudgiest, smuggest, smut, smutchiest, smuttiest, snoutiest, snowsuit, snubbiest, snuffiest, snuffliest, snuggest, sobriquet, sociolinguist, soliloquist, somersault, somnambulant, somnambulist, soubriquet, soundest, soupiest, sourest, southeasternmost, southernmost, southwesternmost, spacesuit, spinout, spiritualist, spitefullest, splurgiest, spout, sprout, sprucest, spruciest, spumiest, spunkiest, squabbiest, squalidest, squalliest, squarest, squashiest, squattest, squattiest, squawroot, squeakiest, squelchiest, squiffiest, squiggliest, squinniest, squint, squintest, squintiest, squirmiest, squishiest, squooshiest, standout, starfruit, staunchest, stickout, stimulant, stirabout, stout, stoutest, strikeout, structuralist, strunt, stubbiest, stubbliest, stubbornest, studliest, stuffiest, stumpiest, sturdiest, sturt, suavest, subabbot, subadolescent, subadult, subagent, subcabinet, subcompact, subcomponent, subcontinent, subcontract, subcult, subdepartment, subdepot, subdevelopment, subdialect, subdistrict, subdominant, subduct, subedit, subemployment, suberect, subgovernment, subjacent, subjectivist, sublieutenant, sublimest, sublot, submarket, submediant, subnet, subpart, subplot, subpotent, subproduct, subproject, subproletariat, subrent, subscript, subsect, subsegment, subsequent, subset, subshaft, subsist, subsistent, subspecialist, substituent, subtenant, subtest, subtilest, subtlest, subtract, subtweet, subunit, succedent, succinctest, sudsiest, suet, suffragist, sugariest, suint, sukkot, sulfuret, sulkiest, sullenest, sultriest, summeriest … and 80 more

All words that fit SUT
Round 6PCKY19 words fit

starts with P and ends with Y, with C then K in between, in that order.

panicky, persnickety, picky, plucky, prickly, packability, packly, peacocky, pecky, pernickety, pickaninny, picnicky, plasticky, pluckily, pockily, pocky, pricky, puckery, puckishly

All words that fit PCKY
Round 7PING910 words fit

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

pacing, packing, padding, paddling, paging, painting, pampering, pandering, panicking, panting, parachuting, parading, paralyzing, parasailing, parenting, parking, participating, parting, partying, passing, patching, patrolling, patronizing, patting, paving, pawing, pawning, paying, pecking, pedaling, peddling, peeing, peeking, peeling, peeping, peering, pelting, pending, penetrating, percolating, perfecting, performing, permitting, perpetuating, persecuting, pertaining, pestering, petitioning, petting, phasing, philandering, photographing, picketing, picking, picturing, piddling, piecing, piercing, piling, pimping, pinching, ping, pining, pinning, piping, pissing, pitching, pitting, pitying, placing, plaguing, planing, planning, planting, plating, playing, plaything, pleading, pleasing, pleasuring, pledging, plotting, plowing, plucking, plugging, plumbing, plummeting, plunging, poaching, pointing, poisoning, poking, policing, polishing, polling, polluting, pooling, popping, poring, posing, positioning, possessing, posting, postponing, potting, pounding, pouring, pouting, powering, practicing, practising, praising, prancing, prattling, praying, preaching, preceding, predicting, preparing, prepping, prescribing, presenting, presiding, pressing, pressuring, presuming, pretending, preventing, preying, primping, printing, prioritizing, proceeding, processing, prodding, producing, profiling, programming, progressing, projecting, promising, promoting, prompting, proofing, proposing, propositioning, propping, prosecuting, protecting, protesting, protruding, providing, proving, provoking, pruning, prying, publishing, pudding, puffing, puking, pulling, pulsating, pumping, punching, punishing, purchasing, purging, pursuing, pushing, putting, puzzling, pacemaking, pacesetting, pacifying, packaging, packeting, paddocking, padlocking, paganising, paganizing, paginating, paiking, paining, painkilling, painstaking, pairing, palatalizing, palavering, paling, palisading, palletising, palletizing, palliating, palling, palming, palpating, palpitating, palsying, paltering, pamphleteering, panbroiling, pancaking, pandying, paneling, panelling, panfrying, panging, panhandling, panning, pantomiming, paperhanging, papering, papermaking, paradropping, paraffining, paragliding, paragoning, paragraphing, paralleling, parallelling, paralysing, parameterizing, parametrizing, paraphrasing, parasitising, parasitizing, parawing, parboiling, parbuckling, parceling, parcelling, parching, pardoning, parenthesizing, parfocalizing, pargeting, pargetting, parging, paring, parlaying … and 670 more

All words that fit PING
Round 8TOWN14 words fit

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

takedown, thrown, touchdown, town, turndown, teardown, thindown, thistledown, toilworn, townsman, townsmen, townswoman, townswomen, tumbledown

All words that fit TOWN
Round 9ANONE26 words fit

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

announce, annoyance, antagonize, anyone, adenosine, amazonstone, aminophylline, aminopyrine, aminotransferase, ancone, androgyne, androsterone, anemone, anglophone, anklebone, anodyne, anopheline, anthraquinone, anticholinesterase, anticonglomerate, anticonvulsive, anticyclone, antifashionable, antiheroine, antimonide, antiviolence

All words that fit ANONE
Round 10RAAGE8 words fit

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

rampage, ravage, rearrange, reassemblage, redamage, remarriage, repackage, repassage

All words that fit RAAGE

Questions

What were the answers to Wordspine #4?
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.