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Wordspine #48

Friday, October 9, 2026

Answers for puzzle #48. 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 DL. A word like dab looks close but doesn't count — it starts with D but ends with B, not L. Order is the whole game.

Pro — four levels

Level 1DL281 words fit

starts with D and ends with L.

dahl, damsel, daredevil, deal, deceitful, decibel, del, delightful, dell, delusional, denial, denominational, dental, departmental, derail, detail, detrimental, devil, diabolical, diagonal, dial, diesel, differential, digital, dill, dimensional, disapproval, disloyal, dismal, dismissal … and 251 more

All words that fit DL

Scoring on this level: DEL = 5 points, DENOMINATIONAL = 16 points.

Level 2MUE254 words fit

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

magnitude, manicure, manipulate, manipulative, manufacture, manure, marquee, masculine, masquerade, masseuse, mature, measure, menopause, meringue, mesquite, miniature, miniscule, minuscule, minute, misfortune, misuse, mixture, module, moisture, moisturize, molecule, monologue, morgue, mosque, mountainside … and 224 more

All words that fit MUE

Scoring on this level: MANURE = 10 points, MANIPULATIVE = 16 points.

Level 3PETS1240 words fit

starts with P and ends with S, with E then T in between, in that order.

packets, pamphlets, parameters, parents, patents, patients, payments, peanuts, pedestrians, pediatrics, pellets, pelts, percentages, perceptions, perimeters, permits, perpetrators, persists, personalities, perspectives, pertains, perverts, pesticides, pests, petals, peters, pets, pheasants, pickpockets, planets … and 1210 more

All words that fit PETS

Scoring on this level: PETS = 10 points, PERSONALITIES = 19 points.

Level 4SOPNG35 words fit

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

scooping, scoping, shoplifting, shopping, snooping, stomping, stooping, stopping, swooping, scalloping, scolloping, scrooping, sharecropping, showstopping, sloping, slopping, snowplowing, soaping, sophisticating, sopiting, sopping, soundproofing, souping, stenotyping, stereographing, stereotyping, stockpiling, stoping, stoppering, stoppling … and 5 more

All words that fit SOPNG

Scoring on this level: SCOPING = 15 points, SOPHISTICATING = 22 points.

Ranks on this day

  • Beginner0
  • Good Start25
  • Moving Up56
  • Good93
  • Solid155
  • Nice236
  • Great323
  • Genius434
  • Perfect620
Play this Pro day

Sprint — ten rounds

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

Round 1PE1443 words fit

starts with P and ends with E.

pace, package, paddle, padre, page, palace, pale, palette, palpable, panache, pancake, pane, panhandle, pantyhose, parable, parachute, parade, paradise, paralyze, parasite, pare, parole, participate, particle, partridge, passable, passage, passionate, passive, paste, pastime, pasture, pate, patience, patronize, pause, pave, payable, peace, peacetime, pebble, peddle, pedicure, pedigree, pedophile, pee, pele, penalize, penance, pence, penetrate, penne, penthouse, people, perceive, percentage, percentile, perceptive, perchance, performance, perfume, periscope, perishable, perjure, permissible, peroxide, perpetrate, persecute, persistence, personable, personalize, perspective, persuade, persuasive, peruse, perverse, pestilence, petite, phase, phoebe, phone, phosphate, phrase, physique, pickle, picture, pie, piece, pierce, piffle, pike, pile, pilgrimage, pillage, pimple, pinafore, pine, pineapple, pinecone, pinkie, pinochle, pipe, pipeline, pirate, pittance, pixie, placate, place, plague, plane, plaque, plate, plausible, playhouse, playmate, playtime, please, pleasure, pledge, plunge, pointe, poise, poke, pole, police, polite, pollute, pomegranate, poodle, poolside, poorhouse, pope, porcupine, pore, porridge, portable, porterhouse, pose, positive, posse, possessive, possible, postage, postpone, posture, pothole, potsie, pounce, powerhouse, practice, practise, prairie, praise, prance, preamble, precedence, precipice, precise, predictable, prednisone, preemptive, preface, preferable, preference, prejudice, prelude, premature, premiere, premise, prepare, preppie, prerequisite, prerogative, prescribe, presence, presentable, preserve, preside, pressure, prestige, presume, pretense, preventative, preventive, price, pride, primate, prime, primitive, prince, principle, prioritize, private, privilege, prize, proactive, probable, probate, probe, procedure, procrastinate, procreate, procure, produce, productive, profile, profitable, programme, progressive, projectile, promenade, promise, promote, prone, pronounce, propane, propose, prose, prosecute, prospective, prostate, prostitute, protective, prototype, prove, provenance, provide, providence, provocative, provoke, provolone, prude, prudence, prune, psyche, psychoanalyze, psychobabble, puce, puddle, puke … and 1203 more

All words that fit PE
Round 2CR936 words fit

starts with C and ends with R.

cabdriver, caesar, calculator, calendar, calender, caliber, caller, calmer, camcorder, camper, cancer, candor, canter, caper, capper, car, carburetor, cardiovascular, career, caregiver, caretaker, carpenter, carr, carrier, carter, carver, cashier, castor, catcher, cater, caterer, caterpillar, catheter, cauliflower, cavalier, caviar, cedar, cellar, cellular, censor, center, centimeter, chair, challenger, chamber, chancellor, chandelier, chandler, chapter, character, charger, charmer, charter, chaser, chatter, chauffeur, cheaper, cheater, checker, cheddar, cheer, cheerleader, cheeseburger, chevalier, chigger, chipper, chiropractor, choir, choker, chopper, chowder, cider, cigar, cinder, cinnabar, cipher, circular, clapper, classier, cleaner, cleanser, clear, clearer, clever, clicker, cliffhanger, clincher, clipper, closer, clover, clunker, clutter, coaster, cobbler, cocksucker, colder, collaborator, collar, collector, collier, color, colour, comer, comforter, commander, commentator, commissioner, commoner, communicator, compactor, competitor, composer, compressor, computer, concealer, concur, conditioner, condor, conductor, confer, confessor, conner, connoisseur, conquer, consider, conspirator, constrictor, consumer, container, contender, contractor, contributor, controller, conveyor, cooker, cooler, cooper, coordinator, copier, copper, copter, cor, coriander, corker, corner, coroner, corridor, cougar, councillor, counsellor, counselor, counter, counteroffer, courier, cover, cower, coworker, cozier, cracker, crapper, crasher, crater, crazier, creamer, creator, crier, critter, croaker, croupier, crowbar, cruiser, crusader, crusher, cucumber, cur, curator, customer, cuter, cutler, cutter, cylinder, cypher, caber, cabinetmaker, cackler, cadaster, cadaver, cadger, cager, cagier, cahier, cajoler, cakewalker, cakier, calamander, calamar, calcar, calcspar, calenderer, calibrator, caliper, calker, calligrapher, calliper, callower, calorimeter, caloyer, calumniator, calypter, camber, cameleer, campaigner, camphor, campier, campylobacter, canalicular, canaller, canceler, canceller, candider, candleholder, candlelighter, candlepower, candler, candlesnuffer, candour, canephor, caner, canicular, canister, canker, canner, cannier, cannister, cannoneer, cannular, cantilever, cantor, canvaser, canvasser … and 696 more

All words that fit CR
Round 3ASD156 words fit

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

absconded, absolved, absorbed, absurd, abused, accomplished, accursed, accused, accustomed, addressed, adjusted, administered, admonished, advertised, advised, amassed, ambushed, amused, anguished, answered, appeased, apprised, aroused, arrested, ashamed, asked, assaulted, assembled, assessed, assigned, assimilated, assisted, associated, assorted, assumed, assured, asteroid, astonished, astound, abased, abashed, abolished, abscessed, abscised, abscond, abseiled, absented, absentminded, absolutized, absquatulated, abstained, absterged, abstracted, abstricted, accessed, accessioned, accessorised, accessorized, acclimatised, accosted, acquiesced, admeasured, administrated, adrenocorticosteroid, adsorbed, aerosolized, aestheticized, aestivated, afforested, aforesaid, aggrandised, aggressed, agisted, agonised, airbrushed, airshed, airspeed, aisled, aliased, alkalised, allegorised, allseed, ambuscaded, amnestied, amortised, ampersand, analysand, analysed, anastomosed, anatomised, ancestored, anesthetized, anglicised, aniseed, ankylosed, ansated, antiskid, aphorised, apologised, apostatised, apostatized, apostrophised, apostrophized, apotheosized, apposed, appraised, appressed, archaised, arrased, ascarid, ascend, ascended, ascertained, asclepiad, ascribed, ashed, ashlared, ashlered, asperated, aspersed, asphalted, asphyxiated, aspirated, aspired, assagaied, assailed, assassinated, assayed, assegaied, assented, asserted, asseverated, assoiled, assuaged, asswaged, astarboard, asteriated, asterisked, astonied, astounded, astricted, astringed, atmosphered, atomised, attested, attitudinised, auscultated, ausformed, authorised, autolysed, autopsied, autosuggested, avulsed, axised, axseed, azotised

All words that fit ASD
Round 4WER322 words fit

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

wager, waiter, waiver, walker, wallpaper, wander, wanderer, wangler, warmer, warner, washer, watcher, water, weaker, wear, wearer, weather, weaver, weber, webinar, webster, weiner, weir, weirder, welder, wetter, whatever, whatsoever, wheelchair, wheeler, whenever, wherever, whether, whichever, whimper, whiner, whipper, whisker, whisper, whistler, whiter, whoever, wholesaler, whomever, whopper, wider, widower, wiener, wilder, willpower, windbreaker, windjammer, winger, winner, winter, wiper, wiser, wither, womanizer, wonder, woodpecker, worker, worrier, wrangler, wrapper, wrecker, wrestler, wringer, writer, wabbler, wabblier, wacker, wackier, wadder, waddler, wader, wafer, waffler, wafflestomper, wafter, wagerer, wageworker, wagger, waggoner, wagoner, wailer, waister, wakener, waker, waler, walkover, wallflower, walloper, wallower, waltzer, wamblier, wanier, wanner, wanter, wantoner, warbler, warder, warehouser, warier, warmaker, warmonger, warper, warpower, warranter, warrener, warsler, warstler, wartier, washier, waspier, wassailer, wastepaper, waster, wastewater, watchmaker, watchtower, watercolor, watercooler, waterer, waterfowler, waterier, waterpower, waterproofer, watter, wattmeter, waver, waverer, wavier, waxer, waxier, wayfarer, waylayer, weakener, weaklier, wealthier, weaner, wearier, weathercaster, webbier, webmaster, wedder, wedgier, weeder, weedier, weekender, weenier, weensier, weeper, weepier, weer, weever, weigher, weighter, weightier, weightlifter, weimaraner, weisenheimer, welcher, welcomer, weldor, welldoer, welsher, welter, wencher, wennier, wester, westerner, wether, whacker, whackier, whaler, whapper, wharfinger, wharfmaster, wheatear, wheedler, wheezer, wheezier, whelkier, whencesoever, whensoever, wheresoever, whetter, whichsoever, whicker, whiffer, whiffler, whinier, whinnier, whippersnapper, whippier, whirler, whirlier, whisperer, whistleblower, whitener, whitewasher, whither, whithersoever, whitier, whitter, whittler, whizzer, whomsoever, whooper, whoremaster, whoremonger, whosesoever, whosever, whosoever, wickeder, wicker, widder, widener, wielder, wieldier, wifelier, wiftier, wiggier, wiggler, wigglier, wigmaker, wildcatter, wildflower, wildfowler, wilier, willer, willinger, willower, willowier, wimpier, wincer, wincher, winder, windflower … and 82 more

All words that fit WER
Round 5RNT232 words fit

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

radiant, raincoat, rant, reacquaint, reassignment, recant, recent, receptionist, recipient, recombinant, reconnect, reconstruct, recount, redevelopment, redundant, refinement, regent, regiment, reinforcement, reinstatement, reinvent, relevant, reluctant, rent, repaint, repayment, repellent, repent, replacement, represent, repugnant, requirement, resent, resentment, resident, resilient, resistant, restaurant, restraint, retirement, rodent, roundabout, runt, rabblement, radioallergosorbent, radioelement, radiolucent, raiment, rainiest, rainout, rainspout, rampant, randiest, rangiest, rankest, rapprochement, rationalist, raunchiest, ravagement, ravelment, ravishment, reaccent, reactant, readjustment, reagent, realignment, reanoint, reappoint, reappointment, reapportionment, reargument, rearmament, rearrangement, reascent, reassessment, reattachment, reboant, recalcitrant, recentest, recommencement, recommitment, reconcilement, reconquest, reconstructionist, recontact, reconvert, reconvict, recoupment, recreant, recreationist, recrudescent, recruitment, recumbent, recurrent, recusant, redeployment, rediscount, redistributionist, redolent, reductant, reductionist, reemployment, reenact, reenactment, reengagement, reenlist, reenlistment, reentrant, reequipment, reestablishment, referent, refluent, refrainment, refreshment, refrigerant, refront, refulgent, refurbishment, regardant, regionalist, registrant, regnant, regrant, rehabilitant, reimbursement, reimplant, reindict, reindictment, reinduct, reinfect, reinhabit, reinject, reinsert, reinspect, reinterpret, reinvest, reinvestment, rejuvenescent, reknit, relaxant, relearnt, relent, reliant, religionist, relinquishment, relucent, remanent, remeasurement, reminiscent, remint, remitment, remittent, remnant, remonstrant, remount, renascent, renest, renitent, rennet, renouncement, reorient, repellant, repentant, replant, replenishment, representationalist, repressionist, reprint, reptant, repudiationist, rescindment, resemblant, reservationist, resettlement, resolvent, resonant, resplendent, respondent, ressentiment, restatement, restrictionist, resultant, resurgent, resurrectionist, retardant, reticent, retint, retirant, retransmit, retreatant, retrenchment, reunionist, revanchist, revealment, revehent, revenant, reverberant, reverent, revertant, revetment, revilement, revisionist, reviviscent, revolutionist, riant, rident, rinderpest, ringbolt, ringent, ringgit, ringlet, riverfront, roborant, roentgenologist, romanticist, romaunt, rondelet, rottenest, roundest, roundlet, rousement, rubefacient, rudiment, rufescent, ruminant, runabout, rundlet, runlet, runniest, runout, runtiest, rutilant

All words that fit RNT
Round 6FIUL10 words fit

starts with F and ends with L, with I then U in between, in that order.

faithful, fanciful, fistful, frightful, fruitful, fiducial, figural, fitful, floricultural, foresightful

All words that fit FIUL
Round 7CAED575 words fit

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

caffeinated, caged, calculated, called, calmed, campaigned, camped, canceled, cancelled, canned, capsized, captivated, captured, cared, carried, carted, carved, cased, caseload, cashed, castrated, categorized, caused, caved, ceased, celebrated, chagrined, chained, chalked, challenged, changed, channeled, chaperoned, chapped, characterized, charged, charmed, charred, charted, chartered, chased, chatted, cheated, circulated, claimed, clammed, clamped, clapped, classified, clawed, cleaned, cleansed, cleared, coached, collaborated, collapsed, communicated, compared, compensated, complained, complicated, concealed, concentrated, confiscated, congratulated, consecrated, consolidated, consummated, contacted, contained, contaminated, contemplated, contracted, contradicted, cooperated, coordinated, cracked, crafted, crammed, cramped, crapped, crashed, crated, crawled, crazed, creamed, creased, created, cremated, cultivated, caballed, cabbaged, cabbed, cabined, cabled, caboched, caboshed, cached, cacheted, cachinnated, cackled, caddied, cadenced, cadged, cairned, cajoled, caked, cakewalked, calamined, calcified, calcimined, calcined, calendared, calendered, calibrated, calibred, calipered, calked, callipered, calloused, callused, calorized, calqued, calumniated, calved, camailed, cambered, camelopard, cameoed, camouflaged, camphorated, campused, canaled, canalised, canalized, canalled, candied, candled, candlelighted, candlewood, caned, canfield, cankered, cannibalised, cannibalized, cannonaded, cannonballed, cannoned, canoed, canonised, canonized, canoodled, canopied, canted, cantered, cantilevered, cantillated, cantoned, canulated, canvased, canvassed, capacitated, caparisoned, caped, capered, capitalised, capitalized, capitulated, caponized, capped, caprioled, capsulated, capsuled, capsulized, captained, captioned, capuched, caracoled, caracolled, caramelised, caramelized, caravaned, caravanned, carbonadoed, carbonated, carbonized, carboxylated, carboyed, carbuncled, carbureted, carburetted, carburised, carburized, carded, careened, careered, caressed, caricatured, caried, carillonned, carinated, carjacked, carked, carnified, caroled, carolled, caromed, carotenoid, caroused, carped, carpentered, carpetbagged, carpeted, carpetweed, carpooled, carromed, carrottopped, cartelised, cartelized, cartoned, cartooned, cartwheeled, cascaded, caseated, casefied, cashiered, casked, casketed, casqued, casseroled, castellated, castigated, castled, catabolized, cataloged, catalogued, catalyzed, catapulted, catcalled, catechized … and 335 more

All words that fit CAED
Round 8STST168 words fit

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

scientist, shortest, slightest, smartest, smoothest, softest, southeast, southwest, stardust, steadfast, strangest, strategist, strongest, stupidest, stylist, sweatshirt, sweetest, sacerdotalist, sacramentalist, saintliest, saltest, saltiest, salvationist, satanist, satirist, scantest, scantiest, scattershot, scattiest, schmaltziest, scratchiest, secretest, sedatest, sedimentologist, segregationist, selectionist, semanticist, semioticist, semitist, semitranslucent, semitransparent, sensationalist, sentimentalist, separationist, separatist, sericulturist, shiftiest, shirtiest, shirtwaist, shittiest, shmaltziest, shortlist, sightliest, silentest, silhouettist, siltiest, silviculturist, sitarist, sketchiest, skitteriest, slatiest, sleetiest, sluttiest, smutchiest, smuttiest, snatchiest, snippetiest, snootiest, snottiest, snoutiest, soothest, soothfast, sootiest, southeasternmost, southernmost, southwesternmost, spectroscopist, spiritist, spiritualist, spitefullest, splotchiest, sportiest, sportscast, spottiest, sprightliest, squattest, squattiest, squintest, squintiest, stablest, stablishment, staggiest, stagiest, staidest, stalest, stalkiest, stanchest, starchiest, starkest, starriest, stateliest, statist, statoblast, statocyst, staunchest, steadiest, stealthiest, steamiest, stedfast, steeliest, steepest, stemmiest, stenchiest, stenotypist, sternest, sternforemost, sternmost, sternpost, stickiest, stiffest, stigmatist, stillest, stilliest, stingiest, stinkiest, stockiest, stockist, stodgiest, stolidest, stoniest, stormiest, stoutest, straggliest, straightest, straitest, strawiest, streakiest, streamiest, stretchiest, strictest, stringiest, stripiest, stroppiest, structuralist, stubbiest, stubbliest, stubbornest, studliest, stuffiest, stumpiest, sturdiest, subjectivist, subtest, subtilest, subtlest, succinctest, sultriest, supernaturalist, supranationalist, suprematist, sveltest, swarthiest, sweatiest, sweltriest, swiftest, syncretist, synthesist, systematist

All words that fit STST
Round 9DIVED41 words fit

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

deceived, delivered, deprived, disapproved, discovered, disheveled, dissolved, diverted, divided, divorced, divulged, deactivated, derivatized, derived, desilvered, disadvantaged, disavowed, disbelieved, disfavored, dishevelled, disinvested, disinvited, disproved, dissaved, disserved, dissevered, disvalued, divagated, divaricated, divebombed, dived, diverged, diversified, divested, dividend, divined, divinised, divinized, divvied, driveled, drivelled

All words that fit DIVED
Round 10KNCKS23 words fit

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

knickers, knickknacks, knockers, knocks, knuckles, kinnikinnicks, knackeries, knackers, knacks, knackwursts, knapsacks, kneesocks, knickerbockers, knockabouts, knockdowns, knockoffs, knockouts, knockwursts, knuckleballers, knuckleballs, knucklebones, knuckleheads, knucklers

All words that fit KNCKS

Questions

What were the answers to Wordspine #48?
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.