Daily Word Ladder Solution 2026-08-28: MODES → MAKES

Date: 2026-08-28

MODES → MAKES

Difficulty: Medium Goal Steps: 6 5 Letters

Today's Word Ladder puzzle connects MODES to MAKES in 6 steps. This 5-letter word puzzle challenges your vocabulary and logic skills. Can you find the shortest path?

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Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1 MODES → MOVES

Change the 3rd letter D to V, turning MODES into MOVES.

Step 2 MOVES → LOVES

Change the 1st letter M to L, turning MOVES into LOVES.

Step 3 LOVES → LIVES

Change the 2nd letter O to I, turning LOVES into LIVES.

Step 4 LIVES → LIKES

Change the 3rd letter V to K, turning LIVES into LIKES.

Step 5 LIKES → LAKES

Change the 2nd letter I to A, turning LIKES into LAKES.

Step 6 LAKES → MAKES

Change the 1st letter L to M, turning LAKES into MAKES.

Puzzle Insights

Change positions: pos 1: 2, pos 2: 2, pos 3: 2. Most-changed position: 1, 2, 3 (2).

Change sequence: 3, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1.

Letter mix: V→V 2, V→C 0, C→V 0, C→C 4.

Word stats: 7 words, 10 unique letters. Start/target share 3 positions.

Try It Before You Reveal the Path

Cover the steps and work from both MODES and MAKES first. This ladder needs 6 moves, and the endpoints already share 3 letter positions—so a useful move does not always look immediately closer to the target.

The recorded route changes position 3 from D to V first, but saves position 1 (L to M) for the finish. That is a useful reminder to enter a familiar word family before forcing the final spelling.

At the midpoint, LIVES matches 2 target positions. On your replay, explain why that bridge gives you more options than a random swap; this path changes position 1 and 2 and 3 most often.

Practice prompt: choose two unfamiliar bridge words, check their definitions, and write a short sentence for each. Then replay MODES to MAKES without looking at the route and compare your reasoning with the solution.