How to Solve LinkedIn CrossClimb #589 – December 10, 2025 Word Ladder Puzzle

LinkedIn's CrossClimb #589 challenge published on December 10, 2025, is a classic word ladder puzzle where each step changes exactly one letter from the previous word. The puzzle requires both vocabulary knowledge and logical reasoning to connect a series of clues into a valid word chain and reach the final compound answer.

Here's a detailed guide explaining how to solve this CrossClimb puzzle step by step.

Understanding the Game and Puzzle Structure

CrossClimb puzzles present a set of clues, each corresponding to a word. After solving each clue individually, you organize the words into a ladder, ensuring that each consecutive word differs by only one letter. This one-letter change rule is critical – no letters can be rearranged or skipped. Finally, the puzzle ends with a compound question whose answer combines the top and bottom words of the ladder.

Clue-by-Clue Reasoning and Answers

1. Clue 1: "A type of antenna, or to spread gossip"
   Answer: DISH
   Reasoning: A "dish" antenna is a common term for satellite antennas. Additionally, "to dish" can mean to spread gossip or information informally. This dual meaning fits perfectly.
2. Clue 2: "Storage device on a work computer (with 'hard')"
   Answer: DISK
   Reasoning: "Hard disk" is a standard term for computer storage. It differs from "DISH" by one letter, changing the 'H' to 'K', maintaining our word ladder's integrity.
3. Clue 3: "Moby-___, a novel by Herman Melville"
   Answer: DICK
   Reasoning: The famous novel is "Moby-Dick." This word changes one letter from "DISK" (swapping 'S' for 'C').
4. Clue 4: "Name for a check or mark placed next to a list, particularly in British English"
   Answer: TICK
   Reasoning: In British English, a "tick" is the mark used to indicate correctness or completion on a list. This changes the first letter from 'D' in "DICK" to 'T', again a single-letter difference.
5. Clue 5: "Thumb ___ (office supply)"
   Answer: TACK
   Reasoning: A "thumb tack" is a common small pin used in offices to attach papers. From "TICK" to "TACK," only the third letter changes, conforming to the ladder rule.

Building the Word Ladder

Arranged in order, the ladder looks like this:

DISH
DISK
DICK
TICK
TACK

Each rung differs from the previous word by exactly one letter, satisfying CrossClimb's core rule.

Final Compound Question and Answer

The compound question at the end asks: "Two-word offering at a Mexican restaurant that a pescatarian might order."

The answer is:

FISH  (Top Answer)
TACO  (Bottom Answer)

"Fish Taco" is a well-known Mexican dish suitable for pescatarians, neatly tying together the puzzle's final step.

Tips for Solving Similar LinkedIn CrossClimb Puzzles

• Start by solving the easiest clues first to lock in some words.
• Always ensure the ladder's words differ by only one letter – this is non-negotiable.
• Think about synonyms and multiple meanings because clues can be tricky or metaphorical.
• Use vowel changes strategically—they often unlock valid words.
• Work forwards and backward on the ladder to find fits that comply with the letter-change rule.
• Keep final compound clues in mind when arranging your ladder—they often hint toward the ultimate answer.

This careful approach ensures efficient solving while maximizing fun from LinkedIn’s CrossClimb puzzles.

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