NPR Weekend Edition Sunday Puzzle

December 19, 2021

Will Shortz

 

Drop one letter from each of the words in the pairs below to leave two new words that name things in the same category. For example, given the clue words, LOITER - GALLEON, the answer words would be LITER - GALLON.

1. DRILL - STAGE

2. THEN - THIRSTY

3. BOOST - SHORE

4. LINDEN - SATING

5. BUNGLE - SHORN

6. JUDGE - PESTER

7. CANINES - NIECE

8. BRASS - TREMBLE

Answers:

 

1. DILL - SAGE (herbs)

2. TEN - THIRTY (numbers)

3. BOOT - SHOE (clothing)

4. LINEN - SATIN (fabric)

5. BUGLE - HORN (musical instruments)

6. JUDE - PETER (Biblical saints)

7. CANNES - NICE (French cities)

8. BASS - TREBLE (musical clefs)