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Wordspine #53

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Answers for puzzle #53. 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 DD. A word like dab looks close but doesn't count — it starts with D but ends with B, not D. Order is the whole game.

Pro — four levels

Level 1DD1013 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 … and 983 more

All words that fit DD

Scoring on this level: DAD = 5 points, DECAPITATED = 13 points.

Level 2RET460 words fit

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

racket, racquet, rarest, reacquaint, react, readout, realist, reassignment, reboot, rebuilt, recant, receipt, recent, receptionist, recipient, recombinant, reconnect, reconstruct, recount, recruit, redevelopment, redirect, redundant, refinement, reflect, regent, regiment, regret, reheat, reinforcement … and 430 more

All words that fit RET

Scoring on this level: REACT = 9 points, REDEVELOPMENT = 17 points.

Level 3PING910 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 … and 880 more

All words that fit PING

Scoring on this level: PACING = 12 points, PARTICIPATING = 19 points.

Level 4LKING21 words fit

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

lacking, leaking, licking, liking, linking, locking, looking, lovemaking, lurking, lackering, lackeying, laking, larking, lawbreaking, lawmaking, likening, linebacking, lipsticking, locksmithing, lockstitching, lucking

All words that fit LKING

Scoring on this level: LIKING = 14 points, LOCKSTITCHING = 21 points.

Ranks on this day

  • Beginner0
  • Good Start24
  • Moving Up54
  • Good89
  • Solid148
  • Nice225
  • Great307
  • Genius413
  • Perfect590
Play this Pro day

Sprint — ten rounds

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

Round 1LG325 words fit

starts with L and ends with G.

lacking, lag, lagging, landing, landscaping, lang, languishing, lapdog, lapping, lashing, lasting, laughing, launching, laundering, laying, leading, leaking, leaning, leaping, learning, leaving, lecturing, leering, leg, legalizing, lending, lettering, letting, liberating, licensing, licking, lifelong, lifting, lightening, lighting, lightning, liking, limping, ling, lingering, lining, linking, listening, listing, littering, living, loading, loaning, loathing, lobbying, locating, locking, lodging, log, loitering, long, longing, looking, looming, loosening, loosing, looting, lording, losing, lounging, lovemaking, loving, lowering, lug, lumbering, lunching, lung, luring, lurking, lusting, lying, lynching, laagering, labeling, labelling, labializing, laboring, laborsaving, labouring, lacerating, lacewing, lacing, lackering, lackeying, lacquering, lacqueying, lactating, laddering, ladening, lading, ladling, ladybug, lagering, laicising, laicizing, lairing, laking, lalling, lallygag, lallygagging, lambasting, lambing, lamenting, laminating, laming, lamming, lamping, lampooning, lancinating, lancing, landholding, landlubbing, landowning, landsliding, lapidating, lapidifying, lappering, lapsing, lapwing, larding, lariating, larking, larruping, lasing, lassoing, latching, latchstring, latening, lateraling, lateralizing, laterizing, lathering, lathing, latinizing, latticing, lauding, laureating, laureling, laurelling, laveering, lavendering, laving, lavishing, lawbreaking, lawing, lawmaking, lawyering, layering, lazing, lazying, leaching, leafing, leafleting, leafletting, leaguering, leaguing, leapfrog, leapfrogging, leashing, leasing, leathering, leavening, lechering, leching, leeching, leftwing, legalising, legating, legging, legislating, legitimating, legitimatizing, legitimising, legitimizing, legong, leistering, lemming, lengthening, lensing, lessening, lessoning, letching, letterboxing, letterspacing, levanting, leveeing, leveling, levelling, leveraging, levering, levigating, levitating, levying, lexicalizing, liaising, liang, libeling, libelling, liberalising, liberalizing, librating, licencing, lichening, lichting, lidding, lifeguarding, lifesaving, ligating, ligaturing, lightering, lignifying, likening, lilting, limbering, limbing, limelighting, liming, limiting, limning, linearising, linearizing, linebacking, linebreeding, linecasting, linsang, lionising, lionizing, lippening, lippering, lipping, lipreading, lipsticking, liquating, liquefying, liquidating … and 85 more

All words that fit LG
Round 2UE573 words fit

starts with U and ends with E.

ultimate, umpire, unable, unacceptable, unattainable, unattractive, unavailable, unavoidable, unaware, unbearable, unbeatable, unbelievable, unbreakable, uncle, uncomfortable, unconscionable, uncontrollable, uncooperative, underage, underestimate, undergone, undergraduate, underline, undermine, understandable, undertake, undesirable, undetectable, undone, undue, unemployable, unfathomable, unforgettable, unforgivable, unfortunate, unfreeze, unicycle, unimaginative, unintelligible, unique, unite, universe, unlikable, unlike, unlovable, unmentionable, unmistakable, unnerve, unpredictable, unquenchable, unquote, unreachable, unreasonable, unreliable, unresponsive, unsafe, unshakable, unspeakable, unstable, unstoppable, unsubscribe, unsuitable, unsure, untangle, untenable, unthinkable, untie, untouchable, untraceable, untrue, unwelcome, unwise, update, upgrade, upscale, upside, upstage, upstate, uptake, urge, urinate, urine, usable, use, uterine, utilize, ubique, ubiquinone, ugsome, uintahite, uintaite, ukase, uke, ukelele, ukulele, ulcerate, ulcerative, ulexite, ullage, ulnae, ultimogeniture, ultracentrifuge, ultraconservative, ultradense, ultradistance, ultraexclusive, ultrafeminine, ultrafiche, ultrafiltrate, ultrafine, ultramarine, ultramasculine, ultramicroscope, ultramicrotome, ultraminiature, ultramontane, ultraprecise, ultraprogressive, ultrapure, ultrarare, ultrareliable, ultrarespectable, ultrasafe, ultrasensitive, ultrasimple, ultrastructure, ultraviolence, ultravirile, ultrawide, ululate, umangite, umbellate, umbilicate, umbonate, umbrae, umbrage, umbrette, umpirage, unaccountable, unactable, unadaptable, unadoptable, unaffectionate, unaffordable, unaggressive, unagile, unakite, unalienable, unalike, unalterable, unamenable, unamiable, unanalyzable, unanswerable, unappealable, unappeasable, unappreciative, unapproachable, unarguable, unassailable, unassertive, unassimilable, unassuageable, unattributable, unaverage, unawesome, unbalance, unbandage, unbe, unbendable, unbrace, unbrake, unbreachable, unbreathable, unbridgeable, unbridle, unbroke, unbuckle, unbudgeable, unbuildable, unbundle, unburnable, unbusinesslike, uncage, uncake, uncapturable, uncase, uncatchable, uncategorizable, unchallengeable, unchangeable, uncharge, uncharitable, unchaste, uncheckable, unchewable, unchildlike, unchoke, unciae, uncinate, unclassifiable, unclimbable, unclose, unclothe, unclubbable, uncoalesce, uncoercive, uncollectible, uncombative, uncommunicable, uncommunicative, uncompassionate, uncompetitive, uncompromisable, unconceivable, unconformable, unconfuse, unconquerable, unconstructive, uncontainable, uncopyrightable, uncorrectable, uncountable, uncouple, uncrate, uncreate, uncreative, uncrossable, uncrumple, uncrushable, uncultivable, uncute, undanceable, undauntable, unde, undebatable, undeceive, undecidable, undecipherable, undee … and 333 more

All words that fit UE
Round 3BAS1824 words fit

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

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, balls, bananas, bandages, bandits, bands, bangers, bangles, bangs, bankbooks, bankers, banks, banners, baptists, barbarians, barbecues, barbers, barbs, barges, barks, baroness, barracks, barrels, barricades, bars, baseless, basements, bases, basics, basis, basketballs, baskets, bass, bastards, bates, bathrobes, bathrooms, baths, bats, batteries, battles, baubles, bays, beaches, beads, beakers, beams, beans, beards, bearers, bearings, bears, beasts, beatings, beats, beauties, beavers, bedpans, beggars, benefactors, benjamins, betrayals, betrays, bias, billboards, billionaires, binoculars, biographies, birthdays, blackness, blackouts, blacks, bladders, blades, blameless, blames, blankets, blanks, blasphemous, blasters, blazers, blazes, bleachers, boards, boats, bodyguards, boundaries, bracelets, braces, brags, brains, brakes, branches, brandies, bras, brass, brassieres, brats, brays, breakdowns, breaks, breakthroughs, breakups, breasts, breathes, breathless, breaths, bridesmaids, briefcases, broadcasts, broads, bungalows, bureaucrats, burglaries, buzzards, bylaws, bypass, bystanders, baalisms, baals, baas, baases, baaskaaps, babas, babassus, babbitts, babblements, babblers, babbles, babblings, babels, babesias, babesioses, babesiosis, babesiosises, babiches, babirusas, babkas, babools, baboos, babuls, babus, babushkas, babyhoods, babysits, bacalaos, baccalaureates, baccaras, baccarats, bacchanalians, bacchanals, bacchantes, bacchants, bacchius, bachelordoms, bachelorettes, bachelorhoods, baches, bacillus, bacitracins, backaches, backbeats, backbenchers, backbenches, backbends, backbiters, backbites, backbitings, backblocks, backboards, backbones, backbreakers, backcasts, backchats, backcloths, backcountries, backcourts, backcross, backcrosses, backdates, backdrops, backers, backfields, backfills, backfits, backflows, backgammons, backgrounders, backgrounds, backhanders, backhands, backhauls, backhoes, backhouses, backings, backlands, backlashers, backlashes, backless, backlights, backlists, backlogs, backouts, backpackers, backpedals, backrests, backrooms, backrushes, backsaws, backscatterings, backscatters … and 1584 more

All words that fit BAS
Round 4DES3036 words fit

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

daddies, dailies, daisies, damages, damsels, dancers, dances, dandelions, dangerous, dangers, dares, darkness, databases, dateless, dates, daughters, deadbeats, deadlines, dealers, dealings, deals, dears, deaths, debates, debris, debts, debutantes, decades, deceptions, decibels, decides, decisions, decks, decompress, decorations, decorators, decoys, deductions, deeds, deepfakes, deets, defeats, defects, defendants, defenseless, defenses, deficiencies, defies, definitions, degrees, deities, delays, delegates, deliberations, delicates, delicious, delights, delirious, deliveries, delivers, deltas, delusions, demands, demerits, democrats, demographics, demolitions, demons, demonstrates, demonstrations, demonstrators, denies, denominations, denominators, dentists, dents, dentures, departments, depends, depicts, depositions, deposits, depress, depressors, depths, deputies, derives, derris, descendants, descends, describes, deserts, deserves, designers, designs, desires, desks, despises, desserts, destinations, destroyers, destroys, destructs, details, detectives, detectors, determines, detests, detonates, detonators, detours, deuces, developments, develops, deviants, devices, devils, devious, devours, dewars, diabetes, diabetics, diagnoses, diapers, diaries, diathesis, diatribes, dickens, dictates, dies, diets, differences, differs, difficulties, diggers, dignitaries, digress, dimensions, dimes, diners, dinners, directions, directors, disabilities, disagreements, disagrees, disappearances, disappears, disapproves, disasters, disciples, disciplines, discourteous, discoveries, discovers, discrepancies, discusses, diseases, disguises, dishes, disingenuous, disorders, dispatches, dispensers, disputes, dissolves, distances, distress, disturbances, ditches, diuretics, divers, diversions, dives, dividends, divorces, dizziness, documentaries, documents, dodgers, does, doggies, domes, dominates, dominoes, donkeys, doodles, dopes, dosages, doses, dotes, doubles, doves, dozens, drapes, drawers, dreamers, dreamless, dreams, dregs, dress, dresses, dressings, dribbles, dries, drinkers, drivers, drives, driveways, drones, droves, druthers, dryers, duchess, dudes, dues, dukes, dullness, dummies, dunes, duress, duties, dwarves, dwellers, dwells, dykes, dabbers, dabblers, dabbles, dabsters, daces, dackers, dacoities, dactylologies, daddles, dadoes, daemons, daftness, daftnesses, daggers … and 2796 more

All words that fit DES
Round 5NIR82 words fit

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

navigator, negotiator, neighbor, neighbour, neither, nicer, nigger, nipper, noir, nuttier, nadir, naggier, nailer, naiver, nappier, nastier, nationalizer, nattier, naughtier, navicular, nearlier, nebulizer, needier, nerdier, nervier, netminder, nettier, nettlier, neurotransmitter, neutralizer, newsier, nibbler, nicker, nicknamer, niffer, niftier, niggler, nigher, nightclubber, nightjar, nightwalker, nimbler, ninnyhammer, nippier, niter, nitpicker, nitpickier, nitrator, nitrifier, nittier, nobbier, noisemaker, noisier, nominator, nonadmirer, nonbeliever, noncarrier, noncircular, noncollinear, noncompetitor, nondrinker, nondriver, nonjoinder, nonjoiner, nonlinear, nonphilosopher, nonrioter, nonsigner, nonskier, nonswimmer, nonviewer, nonwriter, normalizer, nosier, noticer, notifier, nourisher, nowhither, nubbier, nubblier, nullifier, nutsier

All words that fit NIR
Round 6DARY113 words fit

starts with D and ends with Y, with A then R in between, in that order.

dairy, dangerously, dearly, derogatory, diary, dictionary, disarray, disciplinary, disparity, dispensary, diversionary, documentary, dreary, daguerreotypy, damnatory, dandruffy, dapperly, daredevilry, daredeviltry, daresay, daringly, darkey, darkly, darky, darlingly, dastardly, datary, daubery, daubry, deaconry, deanery, deary, debauchery, debonairly, decenary, declamatory, declaratively, declaratory, dedicatory, defamatory, deflationary, delusionary, demagoguery, denary, denigratory, denunciatory, departmentally, depilatory, depositary, deprecatorily, deprecatory, depreciatory, depredatory, derogatorily, designatory, despairingly, deviatory, devolutionary, dextrorotary, dextrorotatory, diablery, diachronically, diachrony, diagrammatically, diametrically, diaphragmatically, diarchy, diastrophically, diathermy, dictatorially, dietarily, dietary, diffractometry, dignitary, digressionary, dilatometry, dilatorily, dilatory, disagreeably, disapprovingly, disarmingly, disastrously, disciplinarily, disciplinarity, discretionary, discriminatorily, discriminatory, disharmony, dishearteningly, disinflationary, disparagingly, disparately, dispensatory, dissatisfactory, dissimilarity, dissimilarly, dissimilatory, distributary, divinatory, documentarily, domiciliary, dotardly, downheartedly, downwardly, dramaturgically, dramaturgy, drapery, drearily, dromedary, drysaltery, dwarfishly, dyarchy, dynamometry

All words that fit DARY
Round 7SPOT76 words fit

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

scapegoat, snapshot, speedboat, spoilsport, sport, spot, spotlight, standpoint, support, saxophonist, seaport, separationist, sexpot, sheepcot, signpost, silverpoint, slipknot, slipout, smokepot, soapwort, spaceport, spearwort, spectroscopist, speleologist, sphenodont, spheroplast, spiderwort, spigot, spinout, splayfoot, spleenwort, splotchiest, spoilt, spongiest, spookiest, spooniest, sporocyst, sportiest, sportscast, spotlit, spottiest, spout, sprocket, sprout, sternpost, stinkpot, stockpot, stolport, subcomponent, subdepot, subemployment, subplot, subpotent, subproduct, subproject, subproletariat, sunspot, superabsorbent, superconduct, superconfident, supercontinent, superconvenient, superdiplomat, superegoist, supergovernment, superhot, superlobbyist, superloyalist, superpatriot, superport, superprofit, superscout, supersoft, supranationalist, symphonist, symposiast

All words that fit SPOT
Round 8PTED389 words fit

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

painted, parted, participated, partied, partnered, pasted, patched, patented, patrolled, patronized, penetrated, permitted, perpetrated, persecuted, perturbed, perverted, petrified, photographed, pictured, pinpointed, pirated, pitched, pitied, pitted, pixilated, planted, plastered, plateaued, plated, plotted, plummeted, pocketed, pointed, populated, portrayed, positioned, posted, postponed, pothead, potted, practiced, predicted, premeditated, presented, pretend, pretended, prevented, printed, prohibited, projected, promoted, proportioned, prosecuted, protected, protested, protracted, punctured, packeted, packthread, paginated, palatalized, palletised, palletized, palliated, palmated, palpated, palpitated, paltered, pamphleteered, pancreatectomized, panted, pantiled, pantomimed, pantsuited, parachuted, parameterized, parametrized, parapeted, parasitised, parasitized, parathyroidectomized, parented, parenthesized, pargeted, pargetted, parqueted, parroted, particleboard, particularised, particularized, partitioned, passivated, pasteboard, pasteurised, pasteurized, pastored, pastured, pastureland, pated, patinated, patined, patinized, patronised, patted, pattered, patterned, pectized, peculated, pedestaled, pedestalled, pedestrianized, pedimented, pedunculated, pelleted, pelletised, pelletized, pelted, peltered, pennated, peptized, perambulated, percolated, peregrinated, perennated, perfected, perforated, permeated, permuted, perorated, perpetuated, perseverated, persisted, personated, pertained, pestered, pestled, petaled, petalled, petered, petioled, petitioned, petnapped, petted, petticoated, pettifogged, pettled, phagocytized, phagocytosed, phantasied, phenolated, philtered, philtred, phonated, phosphatized, phosphorylated, photobombed, photocomposed, photocopied, photodisintegrated, photodissociated, photoduplicated, photoed, photoengraved, photoexcited, photoinduced, photoionized, photolithographed, photolyzed, photomapped, photooxidized, photoperiod, photoreduced, photosensitized, photostated, photostatted, photosynthesized, picketed, picoted, picrated, pictorialized, picturized, pigmented, pigsticked, pigtailed, pileated, piloted, pinealectomized, pinnated, pinstriped, pipetted, pirouetted, pistoled, pistolled, pitapatted, pitchforked, pitchpoled, pithead, pithed, pivoted, pixillated, placated, plaistered, plaited, plasterboard, plasticized, platformed, platinized, platitudinized, platooned, platted, playacted, pleated, plicated, plighted, plotzed, podcasted, poeticized, poetised, poetized, politicalized, politicised, politicized, politicked, pollinated, polluted, polyunsaturated, pontificated, ponytailed, portaged, portaled, ported, portend, portended, portered, portioned, posited, postdated, postfixed, postformed, postmarked … and 149 more

All words that fit PTED
Round 9GNDER23 words fit

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

gander, gender, granddaughter, grander, grandeur, grandfather, grandmother, grinder, groundskeeper, gunpowder, gasconader, germander, gerrymander, goaltender, gondolier, goosander, gormandizer, grandmaster, grandstander, grenadier, groundbreaker, grounder, groundwater

All words that fit GNDER
Round 10REONE64 words fit

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

reasonable, recognise, recognizable, recognizance, recognize, reconcile, reconnaissance, reconvene, redone, renounce, reorganize, resonance, response, responsible, responsive, revolutionize, rhinestone, radiotelephone, recoinage, recolonize, recombine, recommence, recommendable, recompense, reconceive, reconcentrate, reconceptualize, reconcilable, recondense, recondite, reconfigurable, reconfigure, reconnoitre, reconsecrate, reconsolidate, reconstitute, reconstructible, reconstructive, recontaminate, recontextualize, reconveyance, reconvince, redbone, rediscountable, redolence, reenthrone, regionalize, reinstitutionalize, remonetize, remonstrance, remonstrate, remonstrative, renationalize, rencontre, renominate, reoccurrence, reorientate, reprobance, reshone, resonate, revolutionise, rezone, rotenone, rottenstone

All words that fit REONE

Questions

What were the answers to Wordspine #53?
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.