Poople #390 Answer: NEWS to POOP
September 8, 2026 · Medium · 6 moves
Full solution
Reveal one hint at a time to keep the challenge, or jump straight to the full shortest path from NEWS to POOP.
About this puzzle
Par 6 of 11. Rated Medium.
9 distinct shortest path(s) from NEWS to POOP.
NEWS connects to 8 other valid words.
The shortest routes split after move 1 and never agree again before POOP.
Harder than #389 (GIST, par 5) by 1 move(s). #389 GIST
How the routes branch
Right after NEWS, 4 different words keep the route just as short: MEWS, NETS, PEWS, SEWS. None of them rejoin the others before POOP.
From NEWS, you can take a walk through a MEWS, which makes sense. From there, you can MOWS down a path to BOOS and finally BOOP.
Bridge words
- NEWS(noun)
- Newly received or noteworthy information, especially about recent events.
- MEWS(noun)
- A row of stables, often converted into dwellings, in a private court.
- MOWS(verb)
- cuts down grass or crops with a machine or scythe
- BOWS(verb)
- to bend the head or body as a sign of respect or greeting
- BOOS(noun)
- Shouts of disapproval made by a crowd.
- BOOP(noun)
- A gentle playful tap, especially on the nose.
First moves from NEWS
NEWS has 8 legal first moves. 4 of them stay 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.
Solve stats
832 solves were recorded by the time this puzzle was published, and 19% of them finished exactly on par.
Each row below groups solves by how many extra moves beyond par they took, from 0 (exactly on par) up to 6 or more. The number on each bar is that group's solve count, followed by its share of the total.
Median solve time: 1m 57s
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 #390 answer?
The #390 start word is NEWS. One shortest path to POOP takes 6 moves: NEWS -> MEWS -> MOWS -> BOWS -> BOOS -> BOOP -> POOP.
Are there many ways to solve today's puzzle starting from NEWS?
Yes, there are at least 9 different shortest paths to POOP from NEWS. This puzzle offers a good variety of routes to the solution word. For example, you could start with PEWS, MEWS, NETS, or SEWS.
What is the best first move from NEWS?
There are four first moves from NEWS that keep you on the shortest path to POOP. These moves are MEWS, NETS, PEWS, and SEWS. Any of these will allow you to reach POOP in 5 additional steps.
Can I use DEWS, HEWS, NEWT, or YEWS as a first move from NEWS?
Yes, you can use DEWS, HEWS, NEWT, or YEWS as a first move from NEWS, but these will cost you an extra step. While these words are valid, they will result in a solution longer than the par of 6 moves. The shortest paths require starting with MEWS, NETS, PEWS, or SEWS.
How many words can I change NEWS into in one step?
NEWS has 8 valid neighbors, meaning you can change it into 8 different four-letter words in one step. These include words like MEWS, NETS, PEWS, SEWS, DEWS, HEWS, NEWT, and YEWS. Some of these keep you on the shortest path, while others add an extra move.