NYT Spelling Bee Answers for Sunday, August 16, 2026
Sunday, August 16, 2026
⭐ Pangrams
Words using all seven letters in the puzzle, earning 7 bonus points each.
All 52 Solutions
Click on any word below to view its definition, part of speech, and score.
4-Letter Words (15 words · 15 pts)
5-Letter Words (12 words · 60 pts)
6-Letter Words (11 words · 66 pts)
7-Letter Words (11 words · 77 pts)
8-Letter Words (2 words · 16 pts)
9-Letter Words (1 words · 9 pts)
📊 NYT-Style Grid Matrix
Word count distribution across starting letters and word lengths.
| Letter | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | 1 | 5 |
| C | 12 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 1 | - | 36 |
| D | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | - | - | 6 |
| E | - | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | 2 |
| L | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 |
| O | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | 2 |
| TOTAL | 15 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 52 |
🔤 Two-Letter Tally
Two-letter opening stems and count of accepted words.
🏆 Rank Milestones for this Puzzle
Points required to reach each ranking tier based on 257 total possible points.
| Rank Level | Percentage | Points Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 0% | 0 pts |
| Good Start | 2% | 5 pts |
| Moving Up | 5% | 13 pts |
| Good | 8% | 21 pts |
| Solid | 15% | 39 pts |
| Nice | 25% | 64 pts |
| Great | 40% | 103 pts |
| Amazing | 50% | 129 pts |
| 🧠 Genius | 70% | 180 pts |
| 👑 Queen Bee | 100% | 257 pts |
Hive Anatomy & Solution Breakdown for Sunday, August 16, 2026
This puzzle centers around the mandatory letter C combined with outer letters B, D, E, L, O, U. It yields a total of 52 accepted words and a scoring ceiling of 257 points.
1. Morphological Architecture & Affix Chains
Notice how words in this puzzle cluster into modular families. When you isolate a valid 4-letter root, applying systematic prefixes and suffixes reveals high-value extensions:
- Prefix Stems: Test common English prefixes like RE-, UN-, IN-, DIS-, PRE- attached to your center letter roots.
- Suffix Chains: Extend roots through comparative (-ER, -EST), adverbial (-LY), nominal (-TION, -MENT, -NESS), and verbal (-ING, -ED) suffixes.
2. Interactive Dictionary Definitions
Every word in this solution list can be clicked or tapped to display its official dictionary definition, part of speech, and contextual synonyms. This makes reviewing past puzzles an effective tool for expanding your vocabulary and spotting rare English word patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many total words and points are in this puzzle?
This puzzle features 52 accepted words worth a maximum possible score of 257 points.
What are the pangrams for this letter set?
The pangram(s) are: BECLOUD, BECLOUDED. Pangrams utilize all seven honeycomb letters and grant a 7-point bonus.
How is Genius rank calculated?
Genius rank requires earning at least 70% of the maximum possible points. For this puzzle, you need 180 points to reach Genius status.
Can I practice other historical puzzles?
Yes! Visit our Puzzle Archive to access dozens of historical New York Times Spelling Bee games, hints, and full solutions.