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Waffle Daily

Deluxe Waffle #22 answers and hints

Need a nudge on the Sunday, March 22, 2026 grid? Start with one clue. Nothing else shows until you tap it.

The starting grid for #22

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

Want one more try first? Play #22.

Hints for each word in #22

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

    verb: use or manipulate to one's advantage

    Hint 2: first and last letter

    It starts with E and ends with T.

    Show the word

    EXPLOIT

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

    Hint 1: the clue

    verb: walk by dragging one's feet

    Hint 2: first and last letter

    It starts with S and ends with E.

    Show the word

    SHUFFLE

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

    Hint 1: the clue

    adverb: (superlative of `near' or `close') within the shortest distance

    Hint 2: first and last letter

    It starts with N and ends with T.

    Show the word

    NEAREST

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

    Hint 1: the clue

    noun: a citizen who has a legal right to vote

    Hint 2: first and last letter

    It starts with E and ends with R.

    Show the word

    ELECTOR

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

    Hint 1: the clue

    noun: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience

    Hint 2: first and last letter

    It starts with E and ends with E.

    Show the word

    ESSENCE

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

    Hint 1: the clue

    noun: the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds

    Hint 2: first and last letter

    It starts with P and ends with E.

    Show the word

    PLUMAGE

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

    Hint 1: the clue

    adjective: (informal) strikingly unconventional

    Hint 2: first and last letter

    It starts with O and ends with T.

    Show the word

    OFFBEAT

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

    Hint 1: the clue

    noun: a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

    Hint 2: first and last letter

    It starts with T and ends with R.

    Show the word

    THEATER

What is the answer to Deluxe #22?

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: EXPLOIT, SHUFFLE, NEAREST, ELECTOR

Down: ESSENCE, PLUMAGE, OFFBEAT, THEATER

How do you solve #22 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 6 with row 4, column 5. This puts I and B in place.
  2. Swap row 2, column 5 with row 5, column 2. This puts F and E in place.
  3. Swap row 3, column 5 with row 7, column 7. This puts F and R in place.
  4. Swap row 3, column 7 with row 5, column 3. This puts E and A in place.
  5. Swap row 4, column 3 with row 7, column 3. This puts M and E in place.
  6. Swap row 1, column 1 with row 1, column 4. This puts L in place.
  7. Swap row 1, column 1 with row 1, column 7. This puts E and T in place.
  8. Swap row 1, column 2 with row 2, column 1. This puts S in place.
  9. Swap row 1, column 2 with row 7, column 1. This puts E in place.
  10. Swap row 1, column 2 with row 7, column 6. This puts X and O in place.
  11. Swap row 1, column 3 with row 4, column 7. This puts P in place.
  12. Swap row 4, column 7 with row 5, column 5. This puts A and E in place.
  13. Swap row 2, column 3 with row 3, column 4. This puts F in place.
  14. Swap row 2, column 3 with row 6, column 3. This puts G in place.
  15. Swap row 2, column 3 with row 6, column 7. This puts L and E in place.
  16. Swap row 3, column 1 with row 3, column 2. This puts S in place.
  17. Swap row 3, column 2 with row 5, column 4. This puts H and R in place.
  18. Swap row 5, column 6 with row 7, column 2. This puts S in place.
  19. Swap row 6, column 1 with row 7, column 2. This puts L in place.
  20. Swap row 6, column 1 with row 7, column 5. This puts C and T in place.

What do the words in #22 mean?

EXPLOIT
verb: use or manipulate to one's advantage
SHUFFLE
verb: walk by dragging one's feet
NEAREST
adverb: (superlative of `near' or `close') within the shortest distance
ELECTOR
noun: a citizen who has a legal right to vote
ESSENCE
noun: the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
PLUMAGE
noun: the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
OFFBEAT
adjective: (informal) strikingly unconventional
THEATER
noun: a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

Word meanings come from WordNet 3.1, a free English dictionary from Princeton University. Puzzle published Sunday, March 22, 2026.