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Wordspine #72

Monday, November 2, 2026

Answers for puzzle #72. 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 HT. A word like haberdashery looks close but doesn't count — it starts with H but ends with Y, not T. Order is the whole game.

Pro — four levels

Level 1HT278 words fit

starts with H and ends with T.

habit, habitat, haircut, hairnet, halibut, halt, hamlet, handbasket, handout, handprint, handsomest, hangout, happiest, harassment, hardest, harlot, hart, harvest, hast, hat, hatchet, haunt, hayloft, hazelnut, headfirst, headset, healthiest, heart, heartbeat, heartfelt … and 248 more

All words that fit HT

Scoring on this level: HAT = 5 points, HANDBASKET = 12 points.

Level 2UNY436 words fit

starts with U and ends with Y, with N in between, in that order.

unadvisedly, unanimously, unbearably, unbelievably, uncanny, uncertainty, unconsciously, uncontrollably, undeniably, understandably, understudy, underway, undoubtedly, unduly, uneasy, unequivocally, unexpectedly, unfairly, unfortunately, unfriendly, unfunny, ungodly, unhappily, unhappy, unhealthy, unholy, uniformity, unity, universally, university … and 406 more

All words that fit UNY

Scoring on this level: UNITY = 9 points, UNCONTROLLABLY = 18 points.

Level 3BTER136 words fit

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

babysitter, banister, bannister, banter, barometer, barrister, bartender, barter, batter, beater, bestseller, betrayer, better, bitter, blather, blotter, bluster, bolster, booster, bother, breakwater, breather, brighter, brother, buster, bustier, butcher, butler, butter, bystander … and 106 more

All words that fit BTER

Scoring on this level: BANTER = 12 points, BABYSITTER = 16 points.

Level 4DEDED54 words fit

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

decided, decoded, dedicated, deducted, deeded, defended, degraded, dehydrated, deluded, demanded, depended, disregarded, distended, dreaded, dredged, deacidified, deadened, deadhead, deadheaded, deadlifted, deadlocked, deadpanned, debrided, deconditioned, dedifferentiated, deduced, defiladed, defrauded, defunded, dehumidified … and 24 more

All words that fit DEDED

Scoring on this level: DEEDED = 14 points, DEDIFFERENTIATED = 24 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 1DY765 words fit

starts with D and ends with Y.

daddy, daffy, daily, dainty, dairy, daisy, dally, dandy, dangerously, davy, day, deadly, dearly, deathly, decay, decency, deceptively, decoy, deejay, deeply, defiantly, deficiency, definitely, definitively, deformity, deftly, defy, deity, delay, deliberately, delicacy, delicately, delightfully, delinquency, delivery, delly, democracy, demonology, density, deny, dependency, deploy, depository, deputy, derby, derogatory, desperately, destiny, destroy, devastatingly, devilishly, dewy, dey, diary, dicey, dicky, dictionary, diddly, differently, difficulty, digitally, dignify, dignity, diligently, dilly, dimly, dingy, dinky, directly, directory, dirty, disability, disarray, disciplinary, discovery, discreetly, discrepancy, disgustingly, dismay, disobey, disparity, dispensary, display, disqualify, distillery, distinctly, ditsy, ditty, diversionary, divinity, divvy, dizzy, documentary, dodgy, doggy, doily, dolly, domesticity, donkey, doohickey, doomsday, doorway, doozy, dopey, dorky, dormitory, dory, dotty, doubly, dowdy, downy, drafty, dragonfly, dramatically, drastically, dreamy, dreary, dressy, drippy, driveway, droopy, drowsy, dry, duality, ducky, duly, dummy, dusky, dusty, duty, dynasty, dysentery, dacoity, dactylology, daffily, daftly, daguerreotypy, daintily, dakoity, damageability, damagingly, damnably, damnatory, damnify, damningly, damply, damselfly, dandify, dandily, dandruffy, dandyishly, dankly, dapperly, daredevilry, daredeviltry, daresay, daringly, darkey, darkly, darky, darlingly, dashingly, dashy, dastardly, datary, datedly, datively, daubery, daubry, dauby, dauntingly, dauntlessly, dayfly, daylily, dazedly, dazzlingly, deacidify, deaconry, deadeningly, deafeningly, deafly, deanery, deary, deathlessly, deathy, debauchery, debility, debonairly, decadency, decadently, decalcify, deceitfully, deceivingly, decenary, decennially, decently, decertify, decidability, decidedly, decimally, decisively, declamatory, declaratively, declaratory, declassify, declivity, decomposability, decoratively, decorously, decreasingly, decrepitly, decretory, decry, decury, dedicatedly, dedicatory, deductibility, deductively, deedy, deerberry, deerfly, defamatory, defeasibility, defectively, defenselessly, defensibility, defensibly, defensively, deferentially, deficiently, definably, deflationary, defray, degeneracy, degenerately, degradedly, degradingly, degressively, dehumidify, deify … and 525 more

All words that fit DY
Round 2ZS208 words fit

starts with Z and ends with S.

zebras, zephyrs, zeroes, zeros, zillions, zits, zlotys, zombies, zones, zabagliones, zabaiones, zabajones, zacatons, zaffars, zaffers, zaffirs, zaffres, zags, zaikais, zaires, zamarras, zamarros, zamias, zamindaris, zamindars, zananas, zanders, zanies, zaniness, zaninesses, zanzas, zapateados, zapateos, zappers, zaps, zaptiahs, zaptiehs, zaratites, zarebas, zareebas, zarfs, zaribas, zarzuelas, zaxes, zayins, zazens, zealotries, zealots, zealous, zealousness, zealousnesses, zeals, zeatins, zebecks, zebecs, zebrass, zebrasses, zebrawoods, zebus, zecchinos, zecchins, zechins, zedoaries, zeds, zees, zeins, zeitgebers, zeitgeists, zeks, zelkovas, zemindaries, zemindars, zemstvos, zenaidas, zenanas, zeniths, zeolites, zeppelins, zerks, zesters, zestfulness, zestfulnesses, zestless, zests, zetas, zeugmas, zibelines, zibellines, zibeths, zibets, zidovudines, ziggurats, zigs, zigzags, zikkurats, zikurats, zilches, zillahs, zillionaires, zills, zincates, zincifies, zincites, zincous, zincs, zinebs, zinfandels, zingers, zings, zinkifies, zinnias, zins, zipless, zippers, zips, zirams, zirconias, zirconiums, zircons, zitherists, zitherns, zithers, zitis, zizzles, zloties, zoantharians, zodiacs, zoeas, zoisites, zombifications, zombifies, zombiisms, zombis, zonations, zoneless, zoners, zonetimes, zonks, zonulas, zonules, zoochores, zoogeographers, zoogeographies, zoogleas, zoogloeas, zooids, zookeepers, zooks, zoolaters, zoolatries, zoologies, zoologists, zoomanias, zoometries, zoomorphs, zooms, zoonoses, zoonosis, zoons, zoophiles, zoophilies, zoophilous, zoophobes, zoophytes, zooplankters, zooplanktons, zoos, zoosperms, zoospores, zoosterols, zootechnics, zootomies, zorillas, zorilles, zorillos, zorils, zoris, zosters, zouaves, zounds, zoysias, zucchettos, zucchinis, zwiebacks, zwitterions, zydecos, zygapophyses, zygapophysis, zygodactylous, zygomas, zygomorphies, zygoses, zygosis, zygosities, zygospores, zygotenes, zygotes, zymases, zymes, zymogenes, zymogens, zymograms, zymologies, zymosans, zymoses, zymosis, zymurgies, zyzzyvas

All words that fit ZS
Round 3TDY71 words fit

starts with T and ends with Y, with D in between, in that order.

tardy, tawdry, teddy, tendency, thready, tidy, today, toddy, traditionally, tragedy, tremendously, trendy, tardily, tawdrily, taxidermy, tediously, tendentiously, tenderheartedly, tenderly, tepidity, tepidly, tetrahedrally, tetraploidy, theodicy, thermodynamically, thermoperiodicity, thirdly, threnody, thunderingly, thunderously, thundery, thyroidectomy, tidally, tiddly, tideway, tidily, timidity, timidly, tindery, tiredly, toady, tody, toroidally, torpidity, torpidly, torridity, torridly, towardly, traditionary, tragicomedy, transcendency, transcendentally, transcendently, transdisciplinary, trendily, trepidatiously, triadically, tridimensionality, trihydroxy, triploidy, tripody, tumidity, tumidly, turbidimetrically, turbidimetry, turbidity, turbidly, turgidity, turgidly, tweedy, twiddly

All words that fit TDY
Round 4POS3026 words fit

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

palpitations, pantaloons, paratroopers, pardons, parishioners, parlors, parrots, parsons, passions, passports, pathos, patois, patriots, patrons, payoffs, pensioners, pensions, peoples, perceptions, performances, performers, performs, periods, perpetrators, personalities, personals, persons, pesos, phantoms, pharaohs, pheromones, philosophers, philosophies, phobias, phones, phonies, phosphorous, photographers, photographs, photos, pianos, pickpockets, pigeons, pillows, pilots, pious, pistachios, pistols, pistons, placebos, plainclothes, plantations, platforms, playboys, playgrounds, playoffs, plots, poachers, pockets, podcasts, pods, poems, poets, pointers, pointless, points, poisonous, poisons, pokes, poles, policies, politicians, politics, polls, poltergeists, pompoms, pompous, ponds, ponies, poodles, poofs, pools, poppers, poppies, pops, populations, pores, pornographers, pornos, portals, portions, portraits, portrays, ports, poses, posies, positions, positives, posses, possess, possesses, possessions, possibilities, postcards, posters, posts, potatoes, potholes, potions, pots, pounds, pours, powders, powerless, powers, praetorians, precautions, precious, precocious, predators, predecessors, predictions, premonitions, preparations, preposterous, prescriptions, prestigious, presumptuous, pretentious, previous, priorities, priors, prisoners, prisons, probes, problems, procedures, proceedings, proceeds, process, processes, processors, proclivities, producers, produces, productions, products, profess, professionals, professors, profiles, profits, prognosis, programs, progress, progresses, prohibits, projections, projects, promiscuous, promises, promotes, promotions, proms, pronouns, proofs, propellers, properties, prophecies, prophets, proportions, proposals, proposes, props, pros, prosecutors, prospects, prostitutes, protections, protectors, protects, protestants, protesters, protestors, protests, proteus, protocols, protons, prototypes, proves, provides, provinces, provisions, provocations, prowess, psychoanalysis, psychologists, psychopaths, psychos, psychosis, psychotics, publications, purposes, pyrotechnics, pachadoms, pachinkos, pachoulis, pachucos, pachydermatous, pacifications, pacificators, packboards, packhorses, packinghouses, pactions, paddleboards, paddleboats, paddocks, padlocks, padouks, padrones, paduasoys, paedogeneses, paedogenesis, paedomorphisms, paedomorphoses, paedomorphosis, paeons, paesanos, pagandoms, pageboys, paginations, pagodas, pagods, pahoehoes, paintworks, paisanos, palatalizations, palazzos, paleoanthropologies … and 2786 more

All words that fit POS
Round 5ETY371 words fit

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

earthly, earthy, ecstasy, effectively, efficiently, eighty, electricity, electronically, elementary, eloquently, eminently, emotionally, empathy, emphatically, empty, enormity, entirely, entirety, entity, entomology, entry, equality, equity, erratically, essentially, eternally, eternity, ethically, ethnicity, eventuality, eventually, evidently, evolutionary, exactly, exceptionally, exculpatory, expectancy, explanatory, explicitly, exploratory, exquisitely, extraordinary, extremely, earnestly, earthily, earthshakingly, easterly, eatery, ebulliently, eccentrically, eccentricity, ecclesiastically, eclectically, econometrically, ecstatically, ectopically, ecumenicity, edacity, edibility, editorially, educability, educationally, effectivity, effectuality, effectually, effeminately, efferently, effervescently, effetely, efficacity, effortfully, effortlessly, effrontery, egocentrically, egocentricity, egoistically, egotistically, eidetically, eighthly, ejaculatory, elaborately, elastically, elasticity, elatedly, electability, electively, electorally, electrically, electrify, electrocardiographically, electrocardiography, electrochemically, electrochemistry, electroencephalographically, electroencephalography, electrology, electrolytically, electromagnetically, electromechanically, electrometallurgy, electromyographically, electromyography, electronegativity, electrooculography, electrophilicity, electrophoretically, electrophotography, electrophysiologically, electrophysiology, electroretinography, electrostatically, electrosurgery, electrotherapy, electrothermally, electrotonically, electuary, elegantly, elementally, elementarily, eligibility, elliptically, ellipticity, elocutionary, emblematically, embolectomy, emetically, emissivity, emotionality, emotionlessly, emotively, emotivity, empathetically, empathically, employability, emptily, emulatively, enactory, encephalopathy, enchantingly, endarterectomy, endemicity, endodontically, endosteally, endothermy, energetically, enforceability, enigmatically, enmity, entelechy, enterally, enteropathy, enterostomy, entertainingly, enthalpy, enthusiastically, enticingly, entomologically, entomophily, entranceway, entreatingly, entreaty, entrepreneurially, entropically, entropy, entryway, enumerability, environmentally, enzymatically, epexegetically, ephemerality, epidemicity, epigenetically, epigrammatically, epileptically, epinasty, epiphytically, epiphytology, episiotomy, epistasy, epistemically, epistemologically, epistemology, epistolary, epitaxially, epitaxy, epizootiology, epizooty, equability, equanimity, equationally, equidistantly, equilibratory, equinity, equipollently, equitability, equitably, equivalently, equivocality, erasability, erectility, erectly, ergodicity, eristically, erodibility, erosivity, erotically, errantly, errantry, eruditely, eruptively, escalatory, eschatologically, eschatology, esoterically, essentiality, esterify, estimably, estray, estrogenically, estuary, esuriently, ethereality, ethereally, etherify, ethicality, ethnically, ethnobotany, ethnocentricity, ethnographically, ethnography, ethnohistory, ethnology, ethnomethodology, ethnomusicology, ethology, ethoxy, etiologically, etiology, etymologically, etymology … and 131 more

All words that fit ETY
Round 6FAAL36 words fit

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

facial, factual, falafel, familial, fastball, fatal, financial, fraternal, fundamental, factional, factorial, faecal, falderal, fallal, fanatical, fantail, fantastical, farcical, farfal, fascial, fatidical, faucal, faucial, faunal, filarial, firmamental, flavanol, fluctuational, foraminal, foraminiferal, forestaysail, foundational, fractal, fractional, fragmental, fratricidal

All words that fit FAAL
Round 7MTON199 words fit

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

malfunction, manipulation, marathon, masturbation, matron, medication, meditation, meltdown, mention, metropolitan, midtown, migration, miscalculation, misconception, moderation, modification, molestation, motion, motivation, multimillion, multiplication, mutilation, mutton, maceration, machicolation, machination, macroevolution, macroinstruction, maculation, magnetization, magneton, magnetostriction, magnetron, magnification, malabsorption, maladaptation, maladministration, malathion, maldistribution, malediction, malefaction, malformation, malnutrition, malposition, malversation, manifestation, marginalization, margination, marination, martagon, martyrization, masculinization, mastication, mastigophoran, mastodon, materialization, mathematization, matriculation, maturation, matzoon, maximization, mechanization, mechanoreception, mediation, megacorporation, megaton, melanization, melatonin, melioration, mellotron, melodramatization, melton, memorization, menstruation, mensuration, mentation, mercerization, mercuration, mesenteron, mesotron, metafiction, metallization, metazoan, metazoon, metencephalon, methadon, methanation, methemoglobin, methylation, metopon, metrication, microcirculation, microdissection, microencapsulation, microevolution, microinjection, microinstruction, micromanipulation, microminiaturization, microplankton, microprojection, micropulsation, microreproduction, micturition, midsection, militarization, mineralization, miniaturization, minimization, ministration, mirliton, misadministration, misallocation, misapplication, misappropriation, misassumption, misattribution, misbutton, miscaption, miscegenation, mischaracterization, miscitation, misclassification, miscommunication, miscomputation, misconnection, misconstruction, miscorrelation, miscreation, misdescription, misdirection, misdistribution, miseducation, misestimation, misevaluation, misfunction, misidentification, misinformation, misinterpretation, mislocation, misorientation, misperception, misposition, mispronunciation, misquotation, misrecollection, misregistration, misrepresentation, missionization, misthrown, mistranscription, mistranslation, misutilization, misvocalization, mitigation, mitochondrion, mitogen, mitomycin, mobilization, modernisation, modernization, modulation, mollification, monetization, mongrelization, monition, monocotyledon, monopolization, moralization, mortification, morulation, motoneuron, motorization, motorman, motormen, mouton, multibillion, multicarbon, multicolumn, multidomain, multifunction, multimegaton, multination, multiphoton, multipion, multipiston, multiton, multitrillion, multiunion, mummification, municipalization, munition, musicalization, mutation, muton, mutualization, mycetozoan, mycotoxin, mystification

All words that fit MTON
Round 8FRLY150 words fit

starts with F and ends with Y, with R then L in between, in that order.

fairly, fatherly, favorably, fertility, figuratively, firmly, firstly, forcibly, foreplay, formality, formally, formerly, fortunately, frailty, frankly, frantically, freely, frequently, freshly, friendly, frightfully, furiously, faintheartedly, fairishly, falteringly, familiarly, farcicality, farcically, farkleberry, farsightedly, fascicularly, fearfully, fearlessly, fearsomely, federally, federatively, ferly, ferociously, ferrimagnetically, ferroelectricity, fertilely, fervently, fervidly, feverishly, fiercely, fierily, filterability, fireclay, firefly, flabbergastingly, flagrantly, flaringly, flatteringly, flavorfully, fleeringly, flexographically, flickeringly, flirtatiously, florally, floridly, floristically, flourishingly, flowerily, fluoroscopically, flusteredly, foolhardily, forbiddingly, forcedly, forcefully, forebodingly, forehandedly, forelady, forensically, foreseeability, foresightedly, forethoughtfully, forgeability, forgetfully, forgivably, forgivingly, forkedly, forlornly, formability, formatively, formidability, formidably, formlessly, formulaically, formulary, forthrightly, fortnightly, fortuitously, forwardly, fourthly, fractionally, fractiously, fragility, fragmentally, fragmentarily, fragrantly, frailly, frangibility, fraternally, fraudulently, freakily, freakishly, freckly, freehandedly, freeheartedly, freewheelingly, freezingly, frenetically, frenziedly, frenzily, fretfully, friability, friarly, frictionally, frictionlessly, friendlily, frighteningly, frigidly, frilly, friskily, fritillary, frivolity, frivolously, frizzily, frizzly, frolicky, frontality, frontally, frostily, frothily, frowardly, frowningly, frowzily, frozenly, frugality, frugally, fruitfully, fruitily, fruitlessly, frumpily, frustratingly, funereally, furrily, furtively, futuristically, futurology

All words that fit FRLY
Round 9SELES419 words fit

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

satellites, schedules, seamless, selections, selfies, selfishness, selfless, selflessness, selves, senseless, sensibilities, settlements, settles, sexless, shameless, shelters, shelves, shoelaces, sidelines, skeletons, sleepless, specializes, specialties, spectacles, speechless, spineless, saddleless, salesclerks, salesladies, salmonelloses, salvageabilities, scaleless, scatheless, scentless, schedulers, scheelites, schmelzes, scoreless, sealeries, sealers, seamlessness, seamlessnesses, seaplanes, searchless, seasonableness, seasonablenesses, seasonalities, seasonless, seatless, secaloses, secludedness, secludednesses, secludes, seclusiveness, seclusivenesses, sectilities, secularises, secularities, secularizers, secularizes, sedimentologies, sedulities, sedulousness, sedulousnesses, seedless, seemliness, seemlinesses, seismologies, selaginellas, selectees, selectionists, selectiveness, selectivenesses, selectivities, selectness, selectnesses, selectors, selects, selenates, selenides, seleniferous, selenites, seleniums, selenologies, selenologists, selenous, selfheals, selfishnesses, selflessnesses, selfness, selfnesses, selfsameness, selfsamenesses, sellers, selles, seltzers, selvages, selvedges, semasiologies, semblables, semblances, semeiologies, semicircles, semicolonies, semilethals, semiliterates, semimonthlies, semiologies, semipermeabilities, semisubmersibles, semitrailers, semiweeklies, seniles, senilities, sensationalises, sensationalizes, senselessness, senselessnesses, sensibleness, sensiblenesses, sensibles, sensualities, sensualizes, sentimentalises, sentimentalities, sentimentalizes, separabilities, separableness, separablenesses, sepiolites, septuples, sepulchers, sepulchres, sepultures, serialises, serializes, sericultures, serologies, servantless, serviceabilities, serviceableness, serviceablenesses, servileness, servilenesses, servilities, setlines, settlers, severabilities, severalties, sewabilities, sexlessness, sexlessnesses, sexologies, sextiles, sextuples, sextuplets, sextuplicates, sexualities, sexualizes, shadeless, shamefulness, shamefulnesses, shamelessness, shamelessnesses, shapeless, shapelessness, shapelessnesses, shapeliness, shapelinesses, shareabilities, shareholders, sheerlegs, sheldrakes, shellcrackers, shellers, shellfires, shellfisheries, shellfishes, shelterbelts, shelterers, shelterless, shelties, shelvers, shielders, shigelloses, shoeless, shorelines, shovelers, shovellers, shovelnoses, showerless, shrievalties, shutterless, shuttleless, sideliners, siderolites, sidesaddles, sinterabilities, siphonosteles, skedaddlers, skedaddles, skeletonises, skeletonizers, skeletonizes, skelters, slatternliness, slatternlinesses, slaveholders, sleeplessness, sleeplessnesses, sleepwalkers, sleeveless, sleevelets, slovenliness, slovenlinesses, smellers, smelteries, smelters, smileless, smokeless, snivelers, snorkelers, solderabilities, soleless, soleplates, solventless, sommeliers, soteriologies, sourceless, southerlies, sowbellies, spaceless, spacewalkers, spaetzles, specialises, specialities, specialness, specialnesses, speckles, spectrofluorimeters … and 179 more

All words that fit SELES
Round 10BILDS27 words fit

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

billboards, buildings, builds, backfields, battlefields, bewilderedness, bewilderednesses, bewilderments, bewilders, bields, bilanders, bildungsromans, biliverdins, billfolds, billheads, billiards, bilsteds, bisulfides, blindfolds, boatbuilders, boatbuildings, bodybuilders, bodybuildings, brazilwoods, brickfields, builders, buildups

All words that fit BILDS

Questions

What were the answers to Wordspine #72?
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.