Rung #11: ROPE to SEEK — the solution

The Rung ladder from August 25, 2026: ROPE to SEEK, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 5, with one two-letter leap in hand.

The puzzle

Climb from ROPE to SEEK. Par is the shortest climb through the whole accepted dictionary, counting the leap — two letters changed in one move, once, at the cost of two rungs — so it cannot be beaten. The leap does not shorten this one: 5 rungs is the shortest climb with or without it.

The walkthrough

A climb that makes par, one of 21 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. ROPE → RORE — the third letter, P becomes R.
2. RORE → SORE — the first letter, R becomes S.
3. SORE → SERE — the second letter, O becomes E.
4. SERE → SERK — the fourth letter, E becomes K.
5. SERK → SEEK — the third letter, R becomes E.

Other routes as short: ROPE · REPS · REES · REEK · SEEK; ROPE · REPS · REES · SEES · SEEK; ROPE · REPS · SEPS · SEES · SEEK; and more.

The answer

ROPE · RORE · SORE · SERE · SERK · SEEK — 5 rungs.

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About Rung

Rung is Noggin’s daily word ladder: four letters that day, five now, one changed at a time, par set by the shortest climb there is. Any real word is a rung; a two-letter leap is yours once a day, and a hint when you are stuck. How to play Rung, or play today’s.