31 Across

NYT Daily ? September 16, 2025

*Motion of receding waves

Answer:

BACKWASH

Hint:

Think of what happens along the shore after a wave crashes—water rushing back toward the sea, often carrying foam or debris with it.

Explanation:

The clue describes what happens when waves pull back from the shore after crashing forward. "Motion of receding waves" directly points to the term for this backward flow, which is backwash—no wordplay or hidden meaning here. It’s a straightforward definition where the answer literally names the phenomenon being described. Think of the way water retreats down the beach after a wave breaks.

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General solving tip

Match the clue's grammar: plural with plural, past with past. If the clue ends in 's' or uses a past-tense verb, mirror that form in the entry.

More tips → General Hints