Crossclimb #637 Answer – January 27, 2026

BACKDOOR

Answer

BACKDOOR

BACK
LACK
“Absence or deficiency”
LOCK
“Button on a car key fob used to secure the vehicle”
LOOK
“Give a second ___ (view again to reconsider a decision)”
LOOM
“Appear on the horizon, perhaps ominously”
DOOM
““It’s not all ___ and gloom”, so stay optimistic you can remember this missing word for a terrible fate”
DOOR

Combo Clue

“A two-word phrase for a less commonly used entrance of a building”

📖 How I Solved It

So, I dove into puzzle #637, and wow, it had me stumped for a bit! The combo clue about a 'less commonly used entrance' had me second-guessing everything. I initially thought of terms like 'side entrance' and 'secret entrance,' but they just didn’t fit. Then, while working through the word ladder, I got stuck on 'DOOM.' I kept thinking it was some kind of positive word and couldn't see the connection until I finally remembered the phrase 'it’s not all doom and gloom.' That was a lightbulb moment! Once I figured that out, the path to 'DOOR' became clear, and I felt pretty proud of piecing it all together. The combo answer, 'BACKDOOR,' felt like a victory lap after all that confusion!

💡 Tips for This Puzzle

❓ FAQ

The Crossclimb answer for January 27, 2026 (#637) is BACKDOOR. The complete word ladder is: BACK → LACK → LOCK → LOOK → LOOM → DOOM → DOOR.