LinkedIn CrossClimb #585 Solution: Master the December 6, 2025 Word Ladder Puzzle

Welcome to the detailed solution for LinkedIn CrossClimb #585, published December 6, 2025. This daily word puzzle challenges players to climb a word ladder by changing one letter at a time, using clues to unlock each rung. Today’s puzzle combines logic, vocabulary, and word transformations to reach a final compound adjective that describes a plan that is infallible and certain to succeed.

Understanding CrossClimb: This game requires constructing a series of five intermediate words, each differing by just one letter from the previous, perfectly aligning with the given clues. Once the ladder is formed, a compound question leads to two final words related by one-letter changes, often forming a compound adjective or phrase.

Step-by-Step Solution for Each Clue

1. Hint 1: "Decoy attached to a hook to attract fish"
   Answer: LURE
   The word “lure” perfectly fits this clue since a lure is a fishing decoy designed to attract fish. It’s a common, four-letter word key to starting the ladder.
2. Hint 2: "Guitar-like instrument with a pear-shaped body that was played during the Renaissance"
   Answer: LUTE
   By changing one letter from LURE ('R' to 'T'), we get LUTE, a historic string instrument popular in Renaissance music. This keeps the one-letter change rule intact.
3. Hint 3: "Opposite of early"
   Answer: LATE
   Next, change 'U' in LUTE to 'A' to form LATE, the direct antonym of early. The ladder maintains one letter difference again.
4. Hint 4: "Destiny or kismet"
   Answer: FATE
   Change the 'L' in LATE to 'F' to get FATE, a synonym for destiny or kismet, perfectly fitting the clue and adhering to the letter-change rule.
5. Hint 5: "Cost of a ride in a taxi"
   Answer: FARE
   Changing the 'T' in FATE to 'R' results in FARE, which means the price paid for transportation, matching the clue precisely.

Forming the Ladder

The words in sequence with one-letter changes are:
LURE → LUTE → LATE → FATE → FARE

Compound Question and Final Words

The final compound question is: "Compound adjective that describes a plan that is infallible, can't-miss, and certain to succeed."

Here the two final words need to be related by one letter, often expressing positive assurance. The answers are:

The compound adjective is "sure-fire", a phrase meaning guaranteed to succeed or infallible — exactly matching the final clue.

Key Tips Demonstrated by This Puzzle

• Focus on One-Letter Changes: Each step changes exactly one letter to reach a new valid word fitting the clue.
• Logical Clue Matching: Use the clue definitions to confirm word choices rather than guessing.
• Build From Easy to Hard: Identifying the easiest clues first (like "lure" and "late") helps anchor the sequence and helps solve surrounding words.
• Understand Compound Words: The endgame hinges on recognizing common compound adjectives like "sure-fire" that connect meaningfully to the puzzle theme.

This LinkedIn CrossClimb #585 puzzle showcases how language skills and logical reasoning intertwine in daily word ladder challenges. Use these solving strategies to improve your performance in next puzzles and enjoy the ride up the fascinating word ladder!