BOOKENDS puzzle #5, November 1, 2026

The BOOKENDS word from that Sunday was USING. It has five letters, starts with U and ends with G. The day's shelf held 1125 words that fit between the bookends at the start.

What it means: noun: an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly).

One thing to notice in this word: a word starting with U sits about 81% of the way through the alphabet, so a first guess near the middle of the dictionary, such as a word that starts with M, cuts about half the shelf whichever side the answer is on. Aim each later guess at the middle of the gap that is left.