3
$\begingroup$

You may have seen word puzzles where two words are given and the puzzle asks you to transfer one letter from one of the words to the other creating two words that are synonyms.

For example: Smarts and Harp. Move “s” over then Smart = Sharp. Fairly easy.

Here is a challenging version

Given 3 words

Transfer exactly one letter from each word to another creating 3 new words. Each word must transfer exactly 1 letter and also receive exactly 1 letter.

So at the end each word gives up one letter to one of the other 2 words and also receives 1 letter. So the number of letters in those words do not change.

The anagrams of the 3 new words must be such that 2 words are synonyms and the remaining word is the antonym of the 2 words. Example (Right, Correct, Wrong).

The 3 starting words

Pest

Bingo

Deists

The final words are in the Merriam Webster dictionary

$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ Since there are 3 words, can we take one letter from one word and place the same letter on the other 2 words, or only on one of those 2 words? $\endgroup$
    – Anonymous
    Dec 27, 2020 at 14:57
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ You can transfer any one letter to one other word. You can transfer same letter to the third word if you want. $\endgroup$
    – DrD
    Dec 27, 2020 at 14:59
  • $\begingroup$ Yes. It says anagram of the 3 new words. $\endgroup$
    – DrD
    Dec 27, 2020 at 15:05
  • $\begingroup$ So after a letter transfer the new word is dog, you then can anagram it to say god $\endgroup$
    – DrD
    Dec 27, 2020 at 15:07

2 Answers 2

2
$\begingroup$

Stop, begin, desist. Moved the e, o, and e. Actually I misread the question, forgot the first part. Could be Post, binge, and um now I'm stuck. Unless deists is considered a different word from deists due to the e moving....

$\endgroup$
1
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ I think your first example is okay actually (follows the rules). $\endgroup$
    – hexomino
    Dec 27, 2020 at 16:17
2
$\begingroup$

Letter Swaps

"pest" gives an "e" to deists."

What is now "deistse" gives an "e" to "bingo."

What is now "bingoe" gives an "o" to what is now "pst."

In the end, we have "post," "deists," and "binge."

Therefore,

Anagram of "post" is "stop." Anagram of "deists" is "desist." Anagram of "binge" is "begin." "Stop" and "desist" are synonyms, while "begin" is an antonym.

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.