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.
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
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 DDScoring on this level: DAD = 5 points, DECAPITATED = 13 points.
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 RETScoring on this level: REACT = 9 points, REDEVELOPMENT = 17 points.
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 PINGScoring on this level: PACING = 12 points, PARTICIPATING = 19 points.
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 LKINGScoring on this level: LIKING = 14 points, LOCKSTITCHING = 21 points.
Ranks on this day
- Beginner0
- Good Start24
- Moving Up54
- Good89
- Solid148
- Nice225
- Great307
- Genius413
- Perfect590
Sprint — ten rounds
Sprint can't be replayed, so this is the record of the day.
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 LGstarts 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 UEstarts 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 BASstarts 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 DESstarts 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 NIRstarts 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 DARYstarts 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 SPOTstarts 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 PTEDstarts 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 GNDERstarts 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 REONEQuestions
- 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.