Rung #83: NEWER to WIVES — the solution

The Rung ladder from November 5, 2026: NEWER to WIVES, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 6: the shortest climb there is takes 4 rungs, and par gives you 2 to spare.

The puzzle

Climb from NEWER to WIVES. The shortest climb through the whole accepted dictionary, counting the leap — two letters changed in one move, once, at the cost of two rungs — is 4 rungs; par is 2 more, so the shortest route comes in under it. Without the leap the shortest climb is 5 rungs; the leap saves 1.

The walkthrough

A climb under par, one of 2 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. NEWER → NEVER — the third letter, W becomes V.
2. NEVER → WIVER — the leap: N becomes W and E becomes I, two letters in one move for two rungs.
3. WIVER → WIVES — the fifth letter, R becomes S.

Another route as short: NEWER · NEVER · NEVES · WIVES.

The answer

NEWER · NEVER · WIVER · WIVES — 4 rungs, the leap landing on the word in italics.

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About Rung

Rung is Noggin’s daily word ladder: five 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, and a hint when you are stuck. How to play Rung, or play today’s.