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Wordspine #61

Thursday, October 22, 2026

Answers for puzzle #61. 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 RN. A word like rabbi looks close but doesn't count — it starts with R but ends with I, not N. Order is the whole game.

Pro — four levels

Level 1RN508 words fit

starts with R and ends with N.

radiation, rain, raisin, ran, ration, raven, reaction, realization, reason, reassign, rebellion, reborn, reception, recession, recitation, reckon, recognition, recollection, recommendation, recon, reconciliation, recreation, recrimination, redemption, reduction, reelection, reflection, refrain, regain, regeneration … and 478 more

All words that fit RN

Scoring on this level: RAN = 5 points, RECOMMENDATION = 16 points.

Level 2CNE705 words fit

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

caffeine, calzone, canape, candidate, candle, cane, canine, canoe, carbuncle, carmine, carnie, carnivore, censure, centerpiece, centre, challenge, champagne, chance, change, chanteuse, chaperone, chenille, chimpanzee, chlorine, cholinesterase, chronicle, circumference, circumstance, clandestine, clarence … and 675 more

All words that fit CNE

Scoring on this level: CANE = 8 points, CHOLINESTERASE = 18 points.

Level 3GSES434 words fit

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

galoshes, gangsters, gases, gasses, geniuses, gestures, glasses, goddesses, grosses, guesses, gypsies, gagsters, gainfulnesses, gainsayers, galactosamines, galactosemias, galactoses, galactosidases, galactosides, galleasses, galliasses, gallowglasses, gallowses, gallstones, galluses, galvanises, galvanoscopes, gamashes, gamenesses, gamesomeness … and 404 more

All words that fit GSES

Scoring on this level: GASES = 11 points, GALACTOSAMINES = 20 points.

Level 4TILIG53 words fit

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

tailing, thrilling, tickling, tingling, toiling, trailing, trifling, tailgating, tailoring, technicalizing, territorializing, theatricalizing, thimblerig, thimblerigging, thirling, tiling, tillering, tilling, tilting, timetabling, tinkling, tinseling, tinselling, tippling, tirling, titillating, titling, toenailing, toileting, topsoiling … and 23 more

All words that fit TILIG

Scoring on this level: TILING = 14 points, TERRITORIALIZING = 24 points.

Ranks on this day

  • Beginner0
  • Good Start27
  • Moving Up60
  • Good99
  • Solid165
  • Nice251
  • Great344
  • Genius462
  • Perfect660
Play this Pro day

Sprint — ten rounds

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

Round 1SE1622 words fit

starts with S and ends with E.

sabe, sable, sabotage, saccharine, sacrifice, sacrilege, saddle, sade, safe, sage, sake, sale, saline, salute, salvage, same, sample, sane, sapphire, sardine, sarge, satellite, satire, sauce, sausage, savage, save, saxophone, scale, scarce, scare, scene, schedule, scheme, schmooze, science, scone, scope, score, scottie, scourge, scrabble, scramble, scrape, scribble, scripture, scrooge, scrounge, scuffle, sculpture, seaplane, seascape, secretive, secure, sedate, sedative, seduce, seductive, see, segue, seize, seizure, selective, selfie, semblance, semple, senate, senile, sense, sensible, sensitive, sentence, separate, sequence, serenade, serene, serge, serve, service, servitude, sesame, settle, severance, severe, sewage, shackle, shade, shake, shale, shame, shape, share, shave, she, sheldrake, shelve, shine, shingle, shipshape, shoe, shoelace, shone, shore, shoreline, shortage, shortcake, shove, showcase, shrine, shrinkage, shuffle, shuttle, side, sideline, sidle, siege, signature, significance, signore, silence, silicone, silverware, simple, simulate, since, sincere, sine, singe, single, sire, siree, sirree, site, sixpence, sizable, size, sizeable, sizzle, skate, skedaddle, slate, slaughterhouse, slave, sleaze, sledge, sleeve, slice, slide, slime, slope, sludge, smartphone, smile, smite, smoke, smoothie, smudge, smuggle, snake, snakebite, sneeze, snide, snipe, snooze, snore, snowflake, snowmobile, snuggle, sociable, socialite, socialize, software, soiree, solace, sole, solitaire, solitude, solve, some, someone, someplace, sometime, somewhere, soothe, sophomore, sore, souffle, soundstage, source, souse, space, spackle, spade, spare, sparkle, spate, speakerphone, specialise, specialize, spectacle, spectre, speculate, speculative, spence, sphere, spice, spike, spine, spite, spitfire, splurge, spoke, sponge, spouse, spree, springtime, sprinkle, sprite, spruce, spyware, squabble, square, squeegee, squeeze, squiggle, squire, stabilize, stable, stage, staircase, stake, stale, stalemate, stampede, stance, staple, stare, startle, starve, state … and 1382 more

All words that fit SE
Round 2EC273 words fit

starts with E and ends with C.

eccentric, eclectic, economic, ecstatic, ectopic, egocentric, egomaniac, elastic, electric, electronic, empathic, emphatic, enthusiastic, epic, epidemic, epileptic, erotic, erratic, esoteric, ethic, ethnic, euphoric, exotic, ecbolic, ecchymotic, ecclesiastic, echocardiographic, echoic, echolalic, eclamptic, ecliptic, ecologic, econometric, ecotypic, ectatic, ectomorphic, ectoparasitic, ectoplasmic, ectosarc, ectothermic, ectotrophic, ecumenic, edaphic, edenic, egoistic, egotistic, eidetic, eidolic, eirenic, eisteddfodic, ekistic, elastomeric, electroacoustic, electrocardiographic, electrodialytic, electrodynamic, electroencephalographic, electrogenic, electrohydraulic, electrokinetic, electrolytic, electromagnetic, electromyographic, electroosmotic, electrophilic, electrophoretic, electrophotographic, electrophysiologic, electroretinographic, electrostatic, electrotonic, elegiac, elenchic, elenctic, elliptic, emblematic, embolic, embolismic, embryogenetic, embryogenic, embryonic, emetic, emic, emotionalistic, empathetic, emphysemic, empiric, empyemic, enantiomeric, enantiomorphic, enatic, encaustic, encephalitic, encephalitogenic, encephalopathic, enchoric, enclitic, encomiastic, encyclic, encyclopaedic, encyclopedic, endemic, endergonic, endermic, endobiotic, endocrinologic, endocytotic, endodontic, endoergic, endogenic, endolithic, endolymphatic, endomitotic, endomorphic, endonucleolytic, endoparasitic, endophytic, endoplasmic, endosarc, endoscopic, endosymbiotic, endothermic, endotoxic, endotrophic, endozoic, energetic, enharmonic, enigmatic, enneadic, enolic, entastic, enteric, enterocoelic, enteropathogenic, enthetic, entodermic, entopic, entozoic, entropic, enuretic, enzootic, enzymatic, enzymic, eolithic, eosinic, eosinophilic, epeiric, epeirogenic, epenthetic, epexegetic, ephebic, epiblastic, epibolic, epicritic, epicyclic, epidemiologic, epidermic, epidotic, epigastric, epigeic, epigenetic, epigenic, epiglottic, epigonic, epigrammatic, epigraphic, epileptogenic, epimeric, epipelagic, epiphanic, epiphytic, epiphytotic, episodic, epistatic, epistemic, epitaphic, epitaxic, epithalamic, epithetic, epitomic, epizoic, epizootic, epizootiologic, eponymic, epsilonic, equicaloric, equilibristic, eremitic, erethic, ergastic, ergastoplasmic, ergodic, ergometric, ergonomic, ergotic, eristic, erogenic, erotogenic, erythristic, erythroblastic, erythrocytic, erythropoietic, escharotic, esemplastic, essayistic, esthetic, estrogenic, etheric, ethnocentric, ethnographic, ethnohistoric, ethnologic, ethylenic, ethylic, etic, etiologic, eucharistic, euchromatic, eucritic, eudaemonistic, eudiometric, eugenic, euhemeristic, eukaryotic, eulogistic, eupeptic, euphemistic, euphenic, euphonic, euphotic, euphuistic, eupneic, eupnoeic, eurhythmic, eurybathic, eurythermic, eurythmic, eurytopic, eustatic, eutectic … and 33 more

All words that fit EC
Round 3GAT141 words fit

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

gadget, gallant, gambit, gamut, garment, garnet, gasket, gaslight, gat, gault, gauntlet, gayest, gearshift, giant, gloat, gnat, goat, grandparent, grant, grapefruit, gravest, great, greatest, guitarist, 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, gelant, gellant, gemeinschaft, genealogist, generalist, geobotanist, geostrategist, gerontocrat, gesellschaft, gestalt, gestaltist, gesticulant, ghast, ghastliest, ghat, ghaut, gigabit, gigawatt, glabrescent, glaciologist, gladdest, gladiest, gladliest, gladsomest, glaiket, glaikit, glairiest, glariest, glasnost, glassiest, glasswort, glaziest, gleamiest, globalist, glossarist, glossolalist, gnarliest, gnattiest, goalpost, godparent, governmentalist, grabbiest, gracefullest, gradient, gradualist, graffitist, graft, grainiest, grandaunt, grandest, grandiloquent, grapeshot, grapholect, graphologist, grapiest, grassiest, grassroot, grat, gratefullest, grayest, grayout, greasepaint, greasiest, greatcoat, greenheart, grievant, groat, guardant, gunboat, gymnast, gyrostat

All words that fit GAT
Round 4CND522 words fit

starts with C and ends with D, with N in between, in that order.

caffeinated, campaigned, canceled, cancelled, candid, canned, censured, centered, centerfold, centred, chagrined, chained, challenged, changed, channeled, chaperoned, chickened, christened, cleaned, cleansed, clinched, cloned, colonized, combined, command, commented, commissioned, communicated, compensated, complained, compound, comprehend, concealed, conceited, conceived, concentrated, concerned, concluded, concocted, concord, condemned, condensed, conditioned, condoned, conducted, conferred, confessed, confided, confined, confirmed, confiscated, conflicted, confound, confronted, confused, congratulated, conjured, conked, connected, conned, conquered, consecrated, consented, considered, consisted, consoled, consolidated, conspired, constructed, construed, consulted, consumed, consummated, contacted, contained, contaminated, contemplated, contented, continued, contraband, contracted, contradicted, contributed, contrived, controlled, convened, converted, convicted, convinced, coordinated, cordoned, corned, cornered, cornfield, correspond, corresponded, counted, crowned, crunched, cummerbund, cabined, cabstand, cachinnated, cadenced, cairned, calamined, calcimined, calcined, calendared, calendered, calumniated, campground, canaled, canalised, canalized, canalled, canard, cancroid, candied, candled, candlelighted, candlewood, caned, canfield, canid, cankered, cannabinoid, cannibalised, cannibalized, cannonaded, cannonballed, cannoned, canoed, canonised, canonized, canoodled, canopied, canted, cantered, cantilevered, cantillated, cantoned, canulated, canvased, canvassed, caparisoned, caponized, captained, captioned, carangid, caravaned, caravanned, carbonadoed, carbonated, carbonized, carbuncled, carcinoid, careened, carillonned, carinated, carnified, carotenoid, carotinoid, carpentered, cartoned, cartooned, catenated, catenoid, catercornered, catnapped, cautioned, caverned, cayenned, ceilinged, cemented, censed, censored, censused, centerboard, centralised, centralized, centrifuged, centroid, centupled, chagrinned, chainsawed, chairmaned, chairmanned, championed, chanced, chancroid, chandeliered, chandelled, channelized, channelled, chanted, chargehand, chastened, chateaubriand, chaunted, cheapened, chenopod, chicaned, chickenhearted, chined, chinked, chinned, chironomid, chlorinated, chowhound, chronicled, chunked, chuntered, churned, cinched, cinctured, cindered, cinematized, circumnavigated, circumstanced, circumstantiated, circumvented, civilianized, clanged, clangored, clangoured, clanked, clarioned, cleanhanded, clenched, clinged, clinked, clinkered, clonked, clothbound, clotheslined, cloudland, clowned, clubhand, clunked … and 282 more

All words that fit CND
Round 5VED166 words fit

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

vacated, vaccinated, vacuumed, validated, valued, vandalized, vanished, vanquished, vaporized, varied, veered, veiled, vented, ventilated, verified, versed, vested, vetoed, vetted, videotaped, viewed, vindicated, violated, visited, voiced, volunteered, voted, vouched, vowed, vacationed, vacillated, vacuolated, vagabonded, vailed, valanced, valeted, valorised, valorized, valuated, valved, vamoosed, vamosed, vamped, vandalised, vandyked, vaned, vanitied, vanned, vaped, vapored, vaporised, vapoured, variated, varicolored, varicosed, variegated, varisized, varnished, varoomed, varved, vasectomized, vaticinated, vatted, vaulted, vaunted, 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, vibrated, viced, victimised, victimized, victualed, victualled, videoland, vied, vignetted, vilified, vilipend, vilipended, vined, vinegared, vineyard, vinified, visaed, visaged, vised, viseed, visioned, visored, vistaed, visualised, visualized, vitalised, vitalized, vitiated, vitrified, vitrioled, vitriolled, vittled, vituperated, viverrid, vivified, vivisected, 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 VED
Round 6ESET47 words fit

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

easiest, embarrassment, endorsement, establishment, existent, existentialist, earthset, easement, easternmost, eclaircissement, effervescent, efflorescent, electroluminescent, embellishment, embossment, embourgeoisement, empoisonment, empressement, encasement, encashment, encompassment, encystment, enfranchisement, engrossment, enlistment, enmeshment, enserfment, enshrinement, enslavement, ensorcellment, entrustment, epistemologist, escapement, escarpment, escheat, esculent, essentialist, estaminet, estrangement, estreat, esurient, evanescent, excrescent, exsecant, exsect, exsert, extinguishment

All words that fit ESET
Round 7MORS635 words fit

starts with M and ends with S, with O then R in between, in that order.

majors, makeovers, mayflowers, mayors, memoirs, memories, metamorphosis, metaphors, meteors, millionaires, minorities, minors, mirrors, misdemeanors, missionaries, molars, monarchs, monitors, monsters, monstrous, moors, morales, morals, morgues, mornings, morons, morris, mortals, mortars, mortgages, motherfuckers, motherless, mothers, motorcycles, motors, mourners, movers, mowers, macerators, machinators, machzors, macroaggregates, macroinstructions, macromeres, macronutrients, macrophotographies, macrophotographs, macropterous, macrostructures, madrepores, madreporians, madreporites, madworts, magnetographs, magnetohydrodynamics, magnetometers, magnetometries, magnetoresistances, magnetospheres, magnetostrictions, mahzors, majordomos, majorettes, majoritarianisms, majoritarians, majorities, malabsorptions, malacostracans, malapportionments, malefactors, malformations, malodorous, malodorousness, malodorousnesses, malodors, malpractitioners, mammograms, mammographies, mandatories, mandators, mandragoras, manipulators, manoeuvres, manometers, manometries, manorialisms, manors, manpowers, manticores, manufactories, maquiladoras, marathoners, marjorams, markhoors, markhors, masonries, masterworks, masticatories, masticators, mastigophorans, masturbators, matadors, matchboards, mavourneens, mayoralties, mayoress, mayoresses, mazourkas, meadowlarks, mealworms, mechanochemistries, mechanoreceptions, mechanoreceptors, mediators, mediocrities, meditators, megacorporations, megaspores, megasporogeneses, megasporogenesis, megasporophylls, melanophores, meliorates, meliorations, meliorators, meliorisms, meliorists, mellotrons, melodizers, melodramas, melodramatics, melodramatises, melodramatists, melodramatizations, melodramatizes, memoirists, memorabilities, memorableness, memorablenesses, memorandums, memorialises, memorialists, memorializes, memorials, memorises, memorizations, memorizers, memorizes, menorahs, menorrhagias, mentioners, mentors, mentorships, mercaptopurines, meritocracies, meritocrats, meritorious, meritoriousness, meritoriousnesses, meshworks, mesocarps, mesoderms, mesomeres, mesomorphies, mesomorphs, mesonephros, mesospheres, mesothoraces, mesothoraxes, mesotrons, metallographers, metallographies, metalworkers, metalworkings, metalworks, metamorphisms, metamorphoses, metathoraces, metathoraxes, meteorites, meteoriticists, meteoritics, meteoroids, meteorologies, meteorologists, methotrexates, methoxychlors, methoxyfluranes, methylators, methylcholanthrenes, metrorrhagias, microaggressions, microamperes, microbarographs, microbars, microbreweries, microbrewers, microbrewings, microbrews, microbursts, microcalorimeters, microcalorimetries, microcircuitries, microcircuits, microcirculations, microcomputers, microcrystallinities, microcrystals, microcultures, microcuries, microdensitometers, microdensitometries, microearthquakes, microelectrodes, microelectronics, microelectrophoreses, microelectrophoresis, microenvironments, microfarads, microfibrils, microfilmers, microfloras, microforms, micrograms, micrographics, micrographs, microgravities, microgrooves, microinstructions, microlepidopterous, microliters, micromanagers, micromanipulators, micromeres, micrometeorites, micrometeoroids, micrometeorologies, micrometeorologists, micrometers, microminiaturizations … and 395 more

All words that fit MORS
Round 8SICD64 words fit

starts with S and ends with D, with I then C in between, in that order.

sacrificed, serviced, shipwrecked, sicced, sickened, sidetracked, silenced, sliced, solicited, sophisticated, spliced, stitched, switched, syndicated, sandwiched, scincoid, scraiched, semicivilized, semidetached, semidomesticated, semisacred, sextuplicated, sickbed, sicked, sickled, sicklied, silicified, siliconized, simulcasted, sinicized, slicked, slipcased, sluiced, smirched, snicked, snickered, snitched, sonicated, spicated, spiced, squinched, sticked, stickhandled, stickled, stickseed, stickweed, straightjacketed, straightlaced, straitjacketed, straitlaced, strickled, subdistricted, sublicensed, sufficed, suicided, superinduced, superinfected, supersophisticated, supplicated, suspicioned, switchbacked, switchboard, switchyard, syllabicated

All words that fit SICD
Round 9TAING250 words fit

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

tackling, tagging, tailing, taking, talking, tampering, tangling, tanking, tanning, taping, tapping, targeting, tasting, taunting, taxing, teaching, teaming, tearing, teasing, telemarketing, terminating, terraforming, thanking, thanksgiving, thawing, thrashing, threatening, toasting, tracing, tracking, trading, trafficking, trailing, training, traipsing, trampling, transferring, translating, transporting, trapping, trashing, traumatizing, traveling, travelling, treating, trespassing, tweaking, tabbing, tabbying, tabering, tabernacling, tableting, tabletting, tabling, tabooing, taboring, tabouring, tabuing, tabulating, tackifying, tacking, tailgating, tailoring, tainting, talcing, talcking, talebearing, tallaging, tallowing, tallyhoing, tallying, tambouring, taming, tamping, tamponing, tanging, tangoing, tantalising, tantalizing, tapering, tapestrying, tariffing, taring, tarmacking, tarnishing, tarring, tarrying, tarting, tasering, tasking, tasseling, tasselling, tattering, tatting, tattling, tattooing, tautening, tauting, tawing, tawsing, taxiing, taxpaying, taxying, teargassing, teaseling, teaselling, teazeling, teazelling, teazling, technicalizing, teetotaling, teetotalling, telecasting, telegramming, telegraphing, temporalizing, tenanting, tergiversating, terracing, territorializing, tessellating, tetanising, tetanizing, thacking, thatching, theatergoing, theatricalizing, thermalizing, thermoregulating, thermostating, thermostatting, thralling, thrawing, threading, threaping, threating, throating, thumbtacking, thwacking, thwarting, ticktacking, tictacking, timesaving, timetabling, titillating, titivating, titrating, tittivating, toadying, tobogganing, toenailing, tolerating, tomahawking, tomcatting, toolmaking, totaling, totalising, totalitarianizing, totalizing, totalling, trachling, tracklaying, trademarking, traditionalizing, traducing, traiking, trailblazing, trailering, trajecting, trameling, tramelling, trammeling, trammelling, tramming, tramping, trampolining, trancing, tranquilizing, tranquillizing, transacting, transcending, transcribing, transducing, transecting, transfecting, transfiguring, transfixing, transforming, transfusing, transgressing, transhipping, transilluminating, transistorising, transistorizing, transiting, transitioning, transliterating, translocating, transmigrating, transmitting, transmogrifying, transmuting, transparentizing, transpiercing, transpiring, transplanting, transposing, transshaping, transshipping, transubstantiating, transuding, transvaluating, transvaluing, trapanning, trapesing, trapnesting, trapshooting, trauchling, traumatising, travailing, traversing, travestying, trawling, treading, treadling, treasuring, trepanning, triaging, trialing, triangulating, tribulating, trifurcating, triplicating, triturating, trivialising, trivializing, troaking, tropicalizing, troublemaking, truanting … and 10 more

All words that fit TAING
Round 10SRAIT43 words fit

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

straight, strait, straitjacket, strategist, sacerdotalist, sacramentalist, scrabbliest, scraggiest, scraggliest, scrappiest, scratchiest, scrawliest, scrawniest, secretariat, segregationist, separationist, separatist, serialist, shirtwaist, spiritualist, sprawliest, straggliest, straightest, straightjacket, straitest, strawiest, streakiest, streamiest, structuralist, subproletariat, suffragist, supercabinet, superheavyweight, superloyalist, supernaturalist, superpatriot, superspecialist, supranationalist, supremacist, suprematist, surrealist, survivalist, swarajist

All words that fit SRAIT

Questions

What were the answers to Wordspine #61?
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.