How to Solve LinkedIn CrossClimb Puzzle #572: Step-by-Step Word Ladder Guide

Today’s LinkedIn CrossClimb puzzle #572, published on November 23, 2025, challenges players to navigate a word ladder that involves changing one letter at a time to move from a starting word to a target word. The puzzle includes five intermediate clues and a final compound question related to a famous Tchaikovsky ballet. Here’s a detailed walkthrough to solve this intriguing word puzzle.

Understanding CrossClimb Mechanics

In CrossClimb, each step involves guessing a word based on a clue, then rearranging the words so each adjacent word differs by exactly one letter. Finally, the top and bottom words of the ladder relate to a compound clue. Logical reasoning and attention to letter positions are crucial throughout.

Step-by-Step Solution for Puzzle #572

1. One-way segment of a street — LANE

This clue points to a common term for a narrow road segment allowing travel in one direction only. LANE fits perfectly as a four-letter word describing such a street portion.

2. Of sound mind and thinking reasonably — SANE

Changing just one letter in LANE, we substitute the first letter ‘L’ with ‘S’ to get SANE, which means mentally sound or reasonable.

3. Performed music vocally — SANG

From SANE, changing the last letter ‘E’ to ‘G’ yields SANG, the past tense of sing, meaning performed music vocally.

4. ___ Paneer (Indian dish featuring leafy greens; uses only letters from “GAS”) — SAAG

Starting from SANG, changing the last letter ‘N’ to ‘G’ gives SAAG, an Indian dish with cooked leafy greens and paneer. This choice cleverly only uses letters from the set “GAS.”

5. Clothes, mugs, and other branded items given out by an employer — SWAG

Finally, changing the middle letter ‘A’ in SAAG to ‘W’ forms SWAG, referring to promotional items or branded giveaways.

Compound Question: Two-word name of a Tchaikovsky ballet featuring a princess transformed into a water bird

With the intermediate words in place, look for two related words at the top and bottom of the puzzle differing by one letter. The ballet famously is LAKE SWAN reversed as SWAN LAKE. Respecting the one-letter change rule:

These words differ by more than one letter in isolation but fit logically with the intermediate ladder steps and overall theme.

Key Strategies Used

• Start with the most straightforward clues (e.g., LANE for a one-way street segment).
• Use the one-letter difference rule strictly to transition between words (e.g., LANE → SANE).
• Respect letter constraints in clues (e.g., SAAG from only letters “G,” “A,” and “S”).
• Recognize cultural references in the final clue to guess the top and bottom answer pair (LAKE SWAN referencing “Swan Lake”).

By carefully solving each clue and ensuring each step only changes one letter, you climb from LANE all the way to SWAG, culminating in the final solution tied to the iconic ballet.

Use this logical framework and letter-by-letter reasoning in your next LinkedIn CrossClimb challenge to efficiently solve word ladders and enjoy the mental workout these puzzles provide!