6-letter words with A as the 1st letter and S as the 3rd letter

The second letter decides the shape, and most of the list tilts toward ASSUME, ASSIST and ASSESS. Nineteen matches double the S right after the opening A, while R supplies only seven and B six. Thirty of the 46 have a definition, and just 12 count as common English.

The A first, S third pattern at a glance

• 46 matches fix A first and S third.
• Collins accepts 44, NWL2023 accepts 35 and ENABLE accepts 32.
• 19 matches double the S, as in ASSUME and ASSIST.
• ASSIZE, ANSATZ and AUSPEX tie at 15 points.
• Only 12 matches belong to the common English vocabulary.

Why do so many of these words double the S?

Because A holds the first slot and S the third, a second S opens the cluster found in ASSUME, ASSIST, ASSESS, ASSURE and ASSAYS. That one branch fills 19 of the 46 matches, close to half the list.

Other second letters are far thinner. B brings ABSENT, ABSURD, ABSORB and ABSEIL, D brings ADSORB and ADSUKI, L brings ALSIKE, and U brings AUSPEX. Test the doubled S first when only the A and S positions are known, because the remaining branches rarely hold more than two words apiece.

Which of these words score highest?

ASSIZE, ANSATZ and AUSPEX share the 15-point top, and AXSEED follows on 14. All four lean on a Z or an X, which is why ordinary entries like ANSWER on 9 and ASSIST trail them badly. Put the heavy tile on a premium square if the board allows it, and keep the rest of your rack flexible for the next turn.

S finishes 11 matches, T eight and E seven. The average sits at 8 points, and only 12 of the 46 count as common English. Collins carries 44 matches against 35 in NWL2023 and 32 in ENABLE, and only 30 entries have a definition, so check your game's word list before you play an unfamiliar one.