Poople #176 Answer: BUOY to POOP
February 6, 2026 · Medium · 6 moves
Full solution
The shortest path from BUOY to POOP takes 6 moves.
Shortest path
- Step 1BUOYBURY3rd letter, O to R
- Step 2BURYBURN4th letter, Y to N
- Step 3BURNBORN2nd letter, U to O
- Step 4BORNBOON3rd letter, R to O
- Step 5BOONBOOP4th letter, N to P
- Step 6BOOPPOOP1st letter, B to P
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About this puzzle
Par 6 of 11. Rated Medium.
2 distinct shortest path(s) from BUOY to POOP.
BUOY connects to 2 other valid words.
The shortest routes split after move 2 and never agree again before POOP.
Harder than #175 (RIFT, par 5) by 1 move(s). #175 RIFT
Easier than #177 (ETCH, par 9) by 3 move(s). #177 ETCH
How the routes branch
Right after BURY, 2 different words keep the route just as short: BURN, BURP. None of them rejoin the others before POOP.
This ladder has a fun, almost palindromic shape, bouncing back from "born" to "boon" before its final playful leap. That little "boop" is a delightful bridge.
Bridge words
- BUOY(noun)
- An anchored float serving as a navigation mark, or to mark a fishing net.
- BURY(verb)
- put or hide underground; cover from sight
- BURN(verb)
- to be on fire; to consume or damage with fire or heat
- BORN(adjective)
- brought into existence as a result of birth
- BOON(noun)
- A helpful or beneficial thing; a blessing or advantage.
- BOOP(noun)
- A gentle playful tap, especially on the nose.
First moves from BUOY
BUOY has 2 legal first moves. Only one of them stays on a shortest path to POOP.
Stays on the shortest path: 5 moves left to POOP.
Costs one extra move: 7 moves total to POOP.
Stuck on a different word?
Enter your current 4-letter word for the shortest path to POOP.
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Play todayFAQ
What is the Poople #176 answer?
The #176 start word is BUOY. One shortest path to POOP takes 6 moves: BUOY -> BURY -> BURN -> BORN -> BOON -> BOOP -> POOP.
Why does BUOY only have two first moves?
BUOY has only two valid neighbors because most single-letter changes do not result in a real four-letter word. Your only options are to change BUOY to BURY or BUSY. All other one-letter changes from BUOY do not form valid words.
Is there a better first move than BURY?
No, BURY is the best first move from BUOY. Changing BUOY to BURY puts you on a path to POOP in 5 more moves, for a total of 6 moves. The only other first move, BUSY, costs one extra move to reach POOP.
Are there any solutions that don't involve BURY?
No, all solutions from BUOY must pass through BURY. After BUOY, your only on-track first move is BURY, which leads to all known solutions. The other first move, BUSY, also eventually leads to BURY on its way to POOP.
How many solutions are there for BUOY to POOP?
There are at least 2 solutions from BUOY to POOP. Both solutions involve the word BURY, then diverge through either BURN or BURP before ultimately reaching POOP. This makes the puzzle have a narrow, almost forced, initial path.