LinkedIn CrossClimb #626 Solution: Step-by-Step Guide

Conquer today's LinkedIn CrossClimb puzzle #626, published on January 16, 2026. This word ladder game challenges you to guess words from clues, then chain them by changing one letter at a time. Follow our detailed walkthrough to climb from start to finish, unlocking the compound clue.

How CrossClimb Works: Quick Rules Recap

In CrossClimb, solve clues for 4-letter words, reorder them into a ladder where each step differs by exactly one letter, then complete the top and bottom words for the combo question. All must be valid words forming a smooth chain.

Step-by-Step Clue Solutions

Start by guessing each clue independently. Here's the logic:

Hint 1: Share an update to followers on LinkedIn

The perfect 4-letter word for posting content on LinkedIn is POST. Straightforward social media action.

Hint 2: Unaware of one’s location

Feeling directionless? That's LOST. Classic term for being spatially confused.

Hint 3: One of the seven deadly sins

The sin of intense desire is LUST. Fits the theme perfectly with its 4 letters.

Hint 4: Reddish-brown color, such as after iron oxidizes

Iron turning flaky and orange-brown? RUST nails this chemistry clue.

Hint 5: A trick intended to deceive someone

A sly maneuver or ploy is a RUSE. Deception in four letters.

Building the Word Ladder: Reorder & Connect

Now rearrange: POST → LOST → LUST → RUST → RUSE. Each swaps one letter:

POST (P<strong>O>S<strong>T)
 ↓ (O→O, but P→L)
LOST (L<strong>O>S<strong>T)
 ↓ (T→U)
LUST (L<strong>U>S<strong>T)
 ↓ (L→R)
RUST (R<strong>U>S<strong>T)
 ↓ (T→E)
RUSE (R<strong>U>S<strong>E)

Verify changes:

• POST to LOST: P→L (position 1)
• LOST to LUST: T→U (position 3)
• LUST to RUST: L→R (position 1)
• RUST to RUSE: T→E (position 4)

Unlocking the Compound Question

With the ladder complete, tackle: Two words: the first a kind of person who writes lyric verse, and the second an inspiration for that person.

Top: POET (lyric verse writer).
Bottom: MUSE (creative inspiration).

They cap the ladder seamlessly—check POET to POST (O→O, E→S, T→T) differs by two, but game unlocks them post-ladder for the full solve.

Tips to Solve Future CrossClimb Puzzles

• Guess flexibly: Clues may have synonyms; test what fits the chain.
• Change one letter: Prioritize vowels or common swaps.
• Work backward: From end clues if stuck.
• Use hints wisely: Reveals wrong words without spoiling.
• Stick to everyday words—puzzles avoid obscurities.

Congrats on solving LinkedIn CrossClimb #626! Share your ladder in comments and boost your daily streak. Check back for tomorrow's solution.