LinkedIn Crossclimb #874 Answer & Analysis

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What connects ROPE to SAIL in LinkedIn Crossclimb 874 — and why? We've got you covered! Try the hints first — you might crack it before the reveal.

Puzzle Number

874

Date

2026-09-21

Top

ROPE

Bottom

SAIL

Answers for Clues

1.

___-playing game

••••••

2.

Do a somersault

••••••

3.

Cost to drive on some roadways

••••••

4.

Work very hard

••••••

5.

Wagging appendage

••••••

Word Ladder

ROPE
ROLE
ROLL
TOLL
TOIL
TAIL
SAIL

Crossclimb 874 Answer & Solution Guide

Answer: ROPE SAIL 🌟

🎮 Puzzle Overview

Crossclimb 874 starts with ROPE and ends with SAIL. The theme clue points to two things attached to a boat's mast, so the endpoint words give ROPE and SAIL as the final answer pair.

The five middle answers are ROLE, ROLL, TOLL, TOIL, and TAIL. Once placed in ladder order, each neighboring word changes exactly one letter.

🪜 Complete Word Ladder

Position Word Clue or Role Letter Change
Top ROPE One thing attached to a boat's mast Starting word
1 ROLE ___-playing game P → L
2 ROLL Do a somersault E → L
3 TOLL Cost to drive on some roadways R → T
4 TOIL Work very hard L → I
5 TAIL Wagging appendage O → A
Bottom SAIL Another thing attached to a boat's mast T → S

🧠 Player Solution Walkthrough

Step 1: Understanding the Puzzle

The endpoint clue is nautical. A mast commonly has a sail attached to it, and ropes are used throughout a boat's rigging. That makes ROPE and SAIL the two endpoint ideas to connect.

Step 2: Starting from the Top

The clue “___-playing game” gives ROLE, as in role-playing game. It belongs directly after ROPE because only the third letter changes: ROPE → ROLE.

Step 3: Building the Middle

“Do a somersault” gives ROLL, which follows ROLE by changing the final letter. The roadway cost clue gives TOLL, changing R to T while keeping OLL in place.

Step 4: Reaching the Bottom

To work very hard is to TOIL, so TOLL becomes TOIL with one letter changed. A wagging appendage is a TAIL, and TAIL connects neatly to SAIL by changing only the first letter.

Step 5: Final Answer

The full ladder is ROPE → ROLE → ROLL → TOLL → TOIL → TAIL → SAIL, and the endpoints answer the theme clue as ROPE SAIL.

📚 Word Reference

Word Meaning
ROPE A strong cord used for tying, pulling, or rigging.
ROLE A part someone plays, especially in a game, story, or performance.
ROLL To turn over and over; also to do a somersault.
TOLL A fee paid to use a road, bridge, or tunnel.
TOIL To work very hard for a long time.
TAIL The rear appendage of an animal, often capable of wagging.
SAIL A sheet of material attached to a mast to catch wind and move a boat.

❓ FAQ

Q1: What is the answer to Crossclimb 874?

The final answer is ROPE SAIL.

Q2: What is the complete word ladder?

The ladder is ROPE → ROLE → ROLL → TOLL → TOIL → TAIL → SAIL.

Q3: How many middle answers are there?

There are five: ROLE, ROLL, TOLL, TOIL, and TAIL.

Q4: Why do ROPE and SAIL form the answer?

The clue asks for two things attached to a boat's mast. A sail is attached to the mast, and ropes are part of the rigging used around it.

Q5: Why does ROLE come immediately after ROPE?

ROPE and ROLE differ by just one letter, changing P to L.

Q6: What is the trickiest part of Crossclimb 874?

Several words share similar endings, so it is easy to place ROLL, TOLL, and TOIL too quickly. Checking each exact letter change keeps the ladder valid.

🎯 Strategy Tips

  1. Use the nautical endpoint clue to keep ROPE and SAIL in mind.
  2. Anchor the phrase clue first: “___-playing game” is ROLE.
  3. Group similar words, then compare exact letter positions.
  4. Verify every neighboring pair before finalizing the ladder.

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