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 → CLAP — the fourth letter, N becomes P.
2. CLAP → SLAP — the first letter, C becomes S.
3. SLAP → SOAP — the second letter, L becomes O.
4. SOAP → SOAK — the fourth letter, P becomes K.
5. SOAK → SOCK — the third letter, A becomes C.
6. SOCK → SUCK — the second letter, O becomes U.

Other routes as short: CLAN · CLAP · SOAP · SOAK · SOCK · SUCK; CLAN · CLAP · SLAP · SOAP · SOCK · SUCK; CLAN · SLAP · SOAP · SOAK · SOCK · SUCK; and more.

The answer

CLAN · CLAP · SLAP · SOAP · SOAK · SOCK · SUCK — 6 rungs.

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

About Rung

Rung is Noggin’s daily word ladder: four letters, 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. How to play Rung, or play today’s.