Rung #35: CLAN to SUCK — the solution

The Rung ladder from September 18, 2026: CLAN to SUCK, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 6, with one two-letter leap in hand.

The puzzle

Climb from CLAN to SUCK. 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: 6 rungs is the shortest climb with or without it.

The walkthrough

A climb that makes par, one of 35 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. CLAN → CLAT — the fourth letter, N becomes T.
2. CLAT → SLAT — the first letter, C becomes S.
3. SLAT → SLIT — the third letter, A becomes I.
4. SLIT → SUIT — the second letter, L becomes U.
5. SUIT → SUCK — the leap: I becomes C and T becomes K, two letters in one move for two rungs.

Other routes as short: CLAN · CLAP · SLAP · SOAP · SOAK · SOCK · SUCK; CLAN · PLAN · PEAN · PEAK · PECK · PUCK · SUCK; CLAN · BEAN · BEAK · BECK · BUCK · SUCK; and more.

The answer

CLAN · CLAT · SLAT · SLIT · SUIT · SUCK — 6 rungs, the leap landing on the word in italics.

Previous: Rung #34 (Thu, Sep 17) · Next: Rung #36 (Sat, Sep 19) · All Rung solutions

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.