NPR Weekend Edition Sunday Puzzle 

August 31, 2025

Will Shortz 

 

Each of the nine-letter words below can be changed into a new one according to a certain pattern. Can you figure out the pattern and the new words?

 

1. MEDIATION

2. IMPERIOUS

3. HEADWATER

4. PACEMAKER

5. REHEARING

6. SIMULATED

7. ETERNALLY 

 

Answer:

 

Each nine-letter word can be changed to a new, ten-letter word by inserting a letter somewhere in the word:

 

1. MEDICATION or MEDITATION

2. IMPERVIOUS

3. HEADWAITER

4. PEACEMAKER

5. REHEARSING

6. STIMULATED

7. EXTERNALLY