© 2026 WRVO Public Media
NPR News for Central New York
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Sunday Puzzle: It takes two

Sunday Puzzle.
NPR
Sunday Puzzle.

On-air challenge

I'm going to give you some eight-letter words. For each one insert two letters in a row to make a familiar 10-letter word.

Ex. INTIMATE  -->  INTIMIDATE

  1. ALLIANCE
  2. DEMOTION
  3. TRAMLINE
  4. INHERENT
  5. PARTICLE
  6. LIBATION
  7. COALESCE
  8. INFINITE
  9. COMPROMISE

Last week's challenge

Last week's challenge comes from listener Ward Harten. Think of a well-known couple whose names are often said in the order of _____ & _____. Seven letters in the names in total. Combine those two names, change an E to an S, and rearrange the result to name another famous duo who are widely known as _____ & _____.

Challenge answer

Adam & Eve, Sam & Dave

Winner

Iilyse Levine-Kanji of Westborough, Mass.

This week's challenge

This week's challenge comes from Joseph Young of St. Cloud, Minn. Think of a word that means "very small." Move the first syllable to the end, separated by a space, and you'll get a two-word phrase naming something that is very large. What words are these?

If you know the answer to the challenge, submit it here by Thursday, Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. ET. Listeners whose answers are selected win a chance to play the on-air puzzle. Important: include a phone number where we can reach you.

Copyright 2026 NPR

NPR's Puzzlemaster Will Shortz has appeared on Weekend Edition Sunday since the program's start in 1987. He's also the crossword editor of The New York Times, the former editor of Games magazine, and the founder and director of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (since 1978).
Recent cuts to federal funding are challenging our mission to serve central and upstate New York with trusted journalism, vital local coverage, and the diverse programming that informs and connects our communities. This is the moment to join our community of supporters and help keep journalists on the ground, asking hard questions that matter to our region.

Stand with public media and make your gift today—not just for yourself, but for all who depend on WRVO as a trusted resource and civic cornerstone in central and upstate New York.