LinkedIn Crossclimb answer for Wednesday, October 21: #904
LinkedIn Crossclimb #904 is the puzzle for Wednesday, October 21, 2026: a seven-rung word ladder, five clues and one clue shared by the top and bottom rungs.
Updated 1:08 PM PT, Nov 7
Puzzle date Wednesday, October 21
The ladder, rung by rung
The two end words together form a phrase for someone or something open to criticism, and one rung in between is another name for autumn.
Opposite of "succeed"
Crossclimb #904 clue 1: Opposite of "succeed" → FAIL
FAIL
To fail is the opposite of to succeed.
Tumble to the ground
Crossclimb #904 clue 2: Tumble to the ground → FALL
FALL
To fall is to tumble to the ground.
What gets hit in golf or tennis
Crossclimb #904 clue 3: What gets hit in golf or tennis → BALL
BALL
A ball is what you hit with a club in golf or with a racket in tennis.
Bundle of hay or straw
Crossclimb #904 clue 4: Bundle of hay or straw → BALE
BALE
A bale is a large, tightly bound bundle of hay or straw.
Strong wind
Crossclimb #904 clue 5: Strong wind → GALE
GALE
A gale is a very strong wind.
Top and bottom rungs
The top + bottom rows = A two-word phrase for a legitimate target for criticism, or an unbiased sporting competition. Keep in mind: The first word may be at the bottom.
Opens after the five rungs above.
FAIRGAME
“fair game”
FAIR sits at the top and is the first word in “fair game”, with GAME at the bottom as the second word.
FAIR is the first word and GAME the second, making “fair game”, a legitimate target for criticism.
