Poople #438 Answer: ANTE to POOP
October 26, 2026 · Hard · 8 moves
Full solution
The shortest path from ANTE to POOP takes 8 moves.
Shortest path
- Step 1ANTEANTS4th letter, E to S
- Step 2ANTSANDS3rd letter, T to D
- Step 3ANDSAIDS2nd letter, N to I
- Step 4AIDSBIDS1st letter, A to B
- Step 5BIDSBODS2nd letter, I to O
- Step 6BODSBOOS3rd letter, D to O
- Step 7BOOSBOOP4th letter, S to P
- Step 8BOOPPOOP1st letter, B to P
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About this puzzle
Par 8 of 11. Rated Hard.
1 distinct shortest path(s) from ANTE to POOP.
ANTE connects to 2 other valid words.
This puzzle has exactly one shortest route: every move is forced, with no equally short alternative at any step.
Harder than #437 (CASE, par 5) by 3 move(s). #437 CASE
How the routes branch
Every word in this ladder is forced. Swap any single word for another valid neighbour and the route gets longer.
This ANTE puzzle has only one shortest path, an 8-move ladder through ANTS and ANDS. The only other first move from ANTE, ANTI, adds an extra step.
Bridge words
- ANTE(noun)
- A stake put up by a player in poker before receiving cards.
- ANTS(noun)
- small insects living in organized colonies
- ANDS(noun)
- plural of and; refers to multiple instances of the conjunction 'and'
- AIDS(noun)
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, a disease that severely weakens the immune system
- BIDS(verb)
- offers to pay a specific price for something, especially at an auction
- BODS(noun)
- people or individuals, often used informally or humorously
- BOOS(noun)
- Shouts of disapproval made by a crowd.
- BOOP(noun)
- A gentle playful tap, especially on the nose.
First moves from ANTE
ANTE has 2 legal first moves. Only one of them stays on a shortest path to POOP.
Stays on the shortest path: 7 moves left to POOP.
Costs one extra move: 9 moves total to POOP.
Solve stats
2713 solves were recorded by the time this puzzle was published, and 18% 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: 4m 59s
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 #438 answer?
The #438 start word is ANTE. One shortest path to POOP takes 8 moves: ANTE -> ANTS -> ANDS -> AIDS -> BIDS -> BODS -> BOOS -> BOOP -> POOP.
Is it true that there's only one way to solve ANTE in the minimum number of moves?
Yes, there is only one shortest solution to reach POOP from ANTE. This unique 8-move path goes through ANTS, ANDS, AIDS, BIDS, BODS, BOOS, and BOOP. Any other path will require more than 8 moves.
Are there any other good first moves from ANTE besides ANTS?
The only other first move from ANTE is ANTI. While ANTI is a valid word, it costs an extra move compared to ANTS. Choosing ANTS keeps you on the shortest path to POOP.
Why does ANTE seem to have so few first moves?
ANTE is a word with a limited number of valid one-letter changes in Poople. It only has two neighbors: ANTS and ANTI. This makes the initial choices for this puzzle quite constrained.