Crossclimb 854 Answer & Solution Guide
Answer: GOOD NEWS
Puzzle Overview
Today's Crossclimb puzzle #854 starts with GOOD and ends with NEWS. The theme clue asks for a two-word phrase for information you hope to hear, which points directly to good news.
The five middle answers are WOOD, WOOS, WOWS, SOWS, and SEWS. Each step changes exactly one letter while moving from GOOD to NEWS.
Complete Word Ladder
| Position | Word | Clue |
|---|---|---|
| Top | GOOD | First half of the final phrase |
| 1 | WOOD | Lumber |
| 2 | WOOS | Tries to win someone’s affection |
| 3 | WOWS | Really impresses with a performance |
| 4 | SOWS | Female pigs |
| 5 | SEWS | Uses a needle and thread |
| Bottom | NEWS | Second half of the final phrase |
Player Solution Walkthrough
Step 1: Understanding the Puzzle
The theme clue describes the kind of information everyone hopes to receive: good news. That gives the endpoint connection between GOOD and NEWS.
Step 2: Moving From the Top
"Lumber" is WOOD, which fits just below GOOD by changing the first letter. This is the cleanest entry point into the ladder.
Step 3: Building the Middle
"Tries to win someone’s affection" solves to WOOS. From there, "Really impresses with a performance" is WOWS, changing only the third letter.
Step 4: Reaching the Bottom
"Female pigs" gives SOWS. The last middle clue, "Uses a needle and thread," is SEWS, which sets up the final one-letter move into NEWS.
Step 5: Answer
The full ladder is:
GOOD -> WOOD -> WOOS -> WOWS -> SOWS -> SEWS -> NEWS
That makes the final answer GOOD NEWS.
Word Reference
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| GOOD | Positive, desirable, or favorable |
| WOOD | Timber or lumber from trees |
| WOOS | Tries to gain affection, support, or favor |
| WOWS | Strongly impresses or amazes |
| SOWS | Adult female pigs |
| SEWS | Joins or repairs fabric using a needle and thread |
| NEWS | Newly received information about events |
FAQ
Q1: What is the answer to Crossclimb 854?
The answer is GOOD NEWS.
Q2: What is the full word ladder?
The full ladder is GOOD -> WOOD -> WOOS -> WOWS -> SOWS -> SEWS -> NEWS.
Q3: How many middle answers are there?
There are five middle answers: WOOD, WOOS, WOWS, SOWS, and SEWS.
Q4: Why does GOOD NEWS fit the clue?
Good news is information you hope to hear, exactly matching the theme clue.
Q5: What is the trickiest clue?
SOWS may be the trickiest because it uses the noun for female pigs, while nearby answers like WOOS, WOWS, and SEWS are verbs.
Strategy Tips
- Use the theme clue to identify the endpoint phrase.
- Check that each neighboring word changes by exactly one letter.
- Solve short, direct clues first, such as WOOD for "Lumber."
- Watch whether a clue is asking for a noun or a verb.
- Read the full ladder aloud before submitting the final answer.