See link embedded in comments to download...

# tags: wordseach, words, puzzle, awk, code
# # awk script that generates a random wordsearch grid
# Michael Sanders 2023
# https://busybox.neocities.org/notes/wordsearch.txt
# # usage: awk -f wordsearch.txt
# # Each puzzle contains 12 words grouped by category,
# randomly dispersed throughout the grid in any position
# of horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, shown below
# is output from the 1st puzzle...
# # ANIMALS
# # V Q T A M E R K Y K I C Q M R TURTLE
# Y G O R I L L A X S L F X U E WALRUS
# T U R T L E G S U Q E Y W S E ZEBRA
# W Y O Q G M W C L U O P W S P AARDVARK
# Z E B R A S Q Y O I P X T O O ANTELOPE
# G A A R D V A R K R A W A P L BUFFALO
# H R J T I B B A R R R A W O E GORILLA
# R P F L I C D B I E D L T H T LEOPARD
# A E J C L T R V V L K R C N N OPOSSUM
# N Q G D B U F F A L O U A V A RABBIT
# Z Y B I Q Y U Y E M D S K O N SQUIRREL
# G P M Q T Z Q U M N M B B R Y TIGER
# # Categories include...
# # ANIMALS, SITCOMS, ZODIAC, INDIAN TRIBES, FASTFOOD
# SHIPS, TREES, ROCK AND ROLL, MONTHS, RULERS, SHAPES
# DIRECTIONS, COLORS, CANINES, SNACKS, NATURAL DISASTERS
# FURNISHINGS, OPPOSITES, COUNTRIES, PAPER PRODUCTS
# LANDSCAPING, UNITS, DANCE CRAZES, TYRANTS, ASTRONOMY
# BREAKFAST, GEMSTONES, APPAREL, BUGS, OFFICE SUPPLIES
# CARDGAMES, MINERALS, FRANCHISE, PARANORMAL, VEGGIES
# TOOLS, AUTHORS, THANKSGIVING, METALS, GAMES, SPIRITS
# CONDIMENTS, FLOWERS, SPICES, KITCHENWARE, CITIES
# NUTS, MOUTAIN RANGES, CHRISTMAS, FRUIT

--
:wq
Mike Sanders