7-letter words with D as the 1st letter and N as the 5th letter

The list includes familiar choices such as defense, defined, and depends, alongside less common entries like daphnia and durance. A useful clue is the final letter: more than half of these words end in S. That makes the pattern a strong fit for plural forms and verb forms, but not every entry will suit every game’s dictionary.

At a glance: the D _ _ _ N _ _ pattern

• There are 106 qualifying seven-letter words, all beginning with D and placing N fifth.
• Defense, defined, depends, and defence are among the recognizable examples.
• S is the most common final letter: 54 words end that way.
• Only 12 entries fall among the common words tracked here.
• DOZENTH leads the score ranking at 20 points.

Which words fit D _ _ _ N _ _?

The fixed letters leave the second, third, fourth, sixth, and seventh spots open. Try the pattern against words you already recognize: defense, demands, defines, and defends all place N in the fifth position. Decency and demonic also fit, showing that the pattern reaches beyond one ending or word family.

S endings dominate this set: 54 words finish with S, including depends, demands, defines, defends, and debunks. Another 15 finish with D, while 11 finish with E. When a clue suggests a plural or a verb form, test an S ending early; it accounts for the clearest concentration in this group.

What should you know about scores and word lists?

DOZENTH scores 20 points in the ranking, followed by DEZINCS at 19. DIZENED, DOZENED, and DOZINGS each score 18. Those high scorers are less familiar than defense or depends, so a strong tile score does not guarantee an easy word to spot.

Dictionary coverage varies: Collins includes 98 of these words, NWL2023 includes 75, and ENABLE includes 61. Only 12 are classed as common, despite 90 having definitions. Treat the set as a clue list, not a promise that every entry is familiar or accepted in your game; check your game's word list before playing.