NPR Weekend Edition Sunday Puzzle

February 22, 2026

Will Shortz 

 

Answer the two clues and put an R in between them to spell a longer word. For example, given the clues WORLD'S FAIR and TINY BELL SOUND, the answer words would be EXPO and TING. Putting an R between them would give the final answer: EXPORTING.

 

1. Penny and Friend in war

 

2. Shape of a frisbee and Change (as text)

 

3. Take a breather and Variant of "isn't" (non grammatical)

 

4. 18-Wheeler and Russia's _____ Mountains

 

5. Go into water head first and Lady's partner (informally)

 

6. Arrived and Word said after a prayer

 

7. Exist and Place to swim (city)

 

8. Sharp part of a wire fence and tools used for punching holes (two words) 

 

Answers:

 

1. CENT R ALLY - CENTRALLY

2. DISC R EDIT - DISCREDIT

3. REST R AIN'T - RESTRAINT

4. SEMI R URAL - SEMI-RURAL

5. DIVE R GENT - DIVERGENT

6. CAME R AMEN - CAMERAMEN

7. LIVE R POOL - LIVERPOOL

8. BARB R AWLS - BAR BRAWLS