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Waffle Daily

Deluxe Waffle #126 answers and hints

Need a nudge on the Saturday, July 4, 2026 grid? Start with one clue. Nothing else shows until you tap it.

The starting grid for #126

8 words hide in this 7×7 grid. You get 25 swaps, and the best solve takes 20.

Want one more try first? Play #126.

Hints for each word in #126

Tap one hint at a time. The clue comes first. Then you get the first and last letters. The word shows only when you tap the last button.

  1. Word 1: the first row (row 1)

    Hint 1: the clue

    noun: the middle area of the human torso (usually in front)

    Hint 2: first and last letter

    It starts with M and ends with F.

    Show the word

    MIDRIFF

  2. Word 2: the second row (row 3)

    Hint 1: the clue

    adjective: forced to turn and face attackers

    Hint 2: first and last letter

    It starts with T and ends with D.

    Show the word

    TRAPPED

  3. Word 3: the third row (row 5)

    Hint 1: the clue

    noun: a mountain peak in central Washington

    Hint 2: first and last letter

    It starts with R and ends with R.

    Show the word

    RAINIER

  4. Word 4: the fourth row (row 7)

    Hint 1: the clue

    adjective: displaying numbers rather than scale positions

    Hint 2: first and last letter

    It starts with D and ends with L.

    Show the word

    DIGITAL

  5. Word 5: the first column (column 1)

    Hint 1: the clue

    adjective: fully ripe

    Hint 2: first and last letter

    It starts with M and ends with D.

    Show the word

    MATURED

  6. Word 6: the second column (column 3)

    Hint 1: the clue

    noun: method or manner of conduct in relation to others

    Hint 2: first and last letter

    It starts with D and ends with G.

    Show the word

    DEALING

  7. Word 7: the third column (column 5)

    Hint 1: the clue

    noun: a distinctive influence

    Hint 2: first and last letter

    It starts with I and ends with T.

    Show the word

    IMPRINT

  8. Word 8: the fourth column (column 7)

    Hint 1: the clue

    adjective: national

    Hint 2: first and last letter

    It starts with F and ends with L.

    Show the word

    FEDERAL

What is the answer to Deluxe #126?

The answer is 8 words that fit together in one grid. Tap below to see all of them. This puzzle has only one answer, so if your words differ, a letter is still in the wrong place.

Show the full answer grid

Across: MIDRIFF, TRAPPED, RAINIER, DIGITAL

Down: MATURED, DEALING, IMPRINT, FEDERAL

How do you solve #126 in 20 swaps?

Make the swaps that fix two tiles at once first. This grid has 11 of them. The list below is one shortest route from the start to the answer.

Show every swap
  1. Swap row 1, column 2 with row 5, column 2. This puts I and A in place.
  2. Swap row 1, column 3 with row 5, column 7. This puts D and R in place.
  3. Swap row 1, column 5 with row 3, column 7. This puts I and D in place.
  4. Swap row 2, column 5 with row 5, column 3. This puts M and I in place.
  5. Swap row 3, column 2 with row 3, column 6. This puts R and E in place.
  6. Swap row 1, column 1 with row 1, column 4. This puts R in place.
  7. Swap row 1, column 1 with row 6, column 5. This puts M in place.
  8. Swap row 6, column 5 with row 7, column 2. This puts N and I in place.
  9. Swap row 1, column 7 with row 2, column 1. This puts A in place.
  10. Swap row 1, column 7 with row 5, column 1. This puts R in place.
  11. Swap row 1, column 7 with row 5, column 5. This puts F and I in place.
  12. Swap row 2, column 7 with row 4, column 5. This puts E in place.
  13. Swap row 4, column 5 with row 7, column 5. This puts R and T in place.
  14. Swap row 3, column 1 with row 4, column 1. This puts U in place.
  15. Swap row 3, column 1 with row 7, column 7. This puts T and L in place.
  16. Swap row 4, column 3 with row 6, column 1. This puts E in place.
  17. Swap row 4, column 3 with row 5, column 4. This puts N in place.
  18. Swap row 4, column 3 with row 7, column 3. This puts L and G in place.
  19. Swap row 5, column 6 with row 7, column 1. This puts E in place.
  20. Swap row 7, column 1 with row 7, column 6. This puts D and A in place.

What do the words in #126 mean?

MIDRIFF
noun: the middle area of the human torso (usually in front)
TRAPPED
adjective: forced to turn and face attackers
RAINIER
noun: a mountain peak in central Washington
DIGITAL
adjective: displaying numbers rather than scale positions
MATURED
adjective: fully ripe
DEALING
noun: method or manner of conduct in relation to others
IMPRINT
noun: a distinctive influence
FEDERAL
adjective: national

Word meanings come from WordNet 3.1, a free English dictionary from Princeton University. Puzzle published Saturday, July 4, 2026.