Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 16 January 2025, Thursday (01-16-25). Find all answers and solutions here.
We've also tries to explain why the answer is the correct solution for each clue.
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Clues and answers
Clues followed by answers and an explanation underneath.
Affirmation not usually spoken at a Jewish wedding : I DO
"I DO" is the right answer because it is a common phrase spoken in traditional Christian weddings, but not typically used in Jewish weddings. The clue is asking for an affirmation that is NOT usually spoken at a Jewish wedding, making "I DO" the correct answer.
Aid in self-reflection : MIRROR
The answer "MIRROR" is correct because a mirror helps you see your own reflection, aiding in self-reflection.
Bad sound to hear while bending over : RIP!
The answer "RIP!" is a sound that represents something tearing or breaking, which would be a bad sound to hear while bending over as it could imply that clothing has ripped.
Brouhahas / Most appalling : MOB SCENES & OBSCENEST
The answer "MOB SCENES & OBSCENEST" fits the clue "Brouhahas / Most appalling" because "mob scenes" refers to noisy or chaotic situations, and "obscenest" means most shocking or offensive. Both words relate to uproar and extreme behavior, making them suitable answers for the given clue.
Button clicked to advance to a YouTube video : SKIP AD
The answer "SKIP AD" fits the clue because on YouTube, viewers can click on the "SKIP AD" button to advance past advertisements and go directly to the video they want to watch.
Capital east of the Jordan River : AMMAN
The capital city of Jordan, Amman, is located east of the Jordan River.
Command to a skydiver : JUMP!
The answer "JUMP!" fits the clue because it is a command given to a skydiver to leap out of the aircraft and begin their descent.
Cornhole action : TOSS
The word "TOSS" is a common action in the game of cornhole where players throw bean bags towards a hole on a raised platform.
Covered in marginalia, maybe : NOTATED
The word "NOTATED" means to have written comments or annotations in the margins of a text, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Covered in marginalia, maybe."
Down in the dumps : MOROSE
The phrase "down in the dumps" is an idiom that means feeling sad or depressed. "SAD" is a synonym for feeling down or unhappy, making it the correct answer to the crossword clue.
Early tech giant : AOL
AOL was an early tech giant known for its internet services in the 1990s, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Early tech giant."
Equivalent of 16 pinches : Abbr.
The abbreviation "Abbr." stands for "abbreviation." In this case, "pinches" is being abbreviated to "16," making the answer "Abbr." correct for the clue "Equivalent of 16 pinches."
Final race stretches … or what racers may be on by then : LAST LEGS
The phrase "final race stretches" suggests the last part of a race, which can be referred to as the "last legs." This term also humorously plays on the idea of racers being tired and on their last bit of energy by the end of the race.
First half of a two-volume encyclopedia on physics, aptly? : A TO M
The answer "A TO M" is the first half of the alphabet, which is apt for the first half of a two-volume encyclopedia on physics. The clue is hinting at the alphabetical split of the encyclopedia.
Fix the wrong way? : RIG
The clue "Fix the wrong way?" is a play on words. "Fix" can mean to repair or to manipulate dishonestly, and "wrong way" suggests the word "RIG" as in to rig something in a dishonest way.
Gaming ___ (console alternatives, for short) : PCS
The answer "PCS" stands for personal computers, which are alternative gaming consoles. This abbreviation is commonly used in the gaming world to refer to gaming on personal computers.
Genesis creator : SEGA
SEGA is a video game company that created the popular video game console, Genesis. Therefore, "Genesis creator" refers to SEGA.
Getting a sneak peek? : SPYING
The answer "SPYING" fits because the act of getting a sneak peek is often associated with secretly observing or spying on something.
Goal seekers? : PUCKS
The clue "Goal seekers?" is a play on words. In this case, "goal" refers to the target in ice hockey, and "seekers" suggests something that is trying to reach that target. Pucks are the objects used in ice hockey to score goals, so "PUCKS" is the correct answer.
Grow a team, say : HIRE
The answer "HIRE" fits the clue "Grow a team, say" because when you hire someone, you are adding them to your team, which helps it grow.
H : ETA
"ETA" is the abbreviation for "Estimated Time of Arrival," often used in transportation to indicate the expected time of arrival for a vehicle or person. In the context of a crossword puzzle, "H" may refer to the eighth letter in the word "arrival," making "ETA" the correct answer.
Have a loan from : OWE TO
"Have a loan from" indicates that someone owes money to another party, making "OWE TO" the right solution as it directly implies owing a debt to someone.
Housing bubble? : BIODOME
The answer "BIODOME" is the right solution because a biodome is a structure that houses plants and animals in a controlled environment, similar to a bubble housing living organisms.
In : AT HOME
The word "in" can mean fashionable or trendy, which is a synonym of the answer "TRENDY".
Infrequently counterfeited bills : ONES
The answer "ONES" fits because one-dollar bills are infrequently counterfeited compared to higher denominations like twenties or hundreds.
It’s all wound up : SPOOL
The answer "SPOOL" fits the clue "It’s all wound up" because a spool is an object around which thread, wire, or film is wound for use or storage.
Letters put in boxes : MAIL
The answer "MAIL" fits because letters can be put in boxes for delivery through the postal service.
Like cabernet sauvignon wine, typically : DRY Down 1 Part of a makeup routine
The answer "DRY" fits the clue "Like cabernet sauvignon wine, typically" because cabernet sauvignon is known for being a dry wine.
Like some activities at a mountain lodge / Marketing fodder : APRES SKI & PRESS KIT
The answer "APRES SKI & PRESS KIT" fits the clue because "Apres ski" refers to activities after skiing at a mountain lodge, and "Press kit" is marketing material used to promote a product or event. The two phrases are related to the clue's theme of activities at a mountain lodge and marketing.
Like some fabrics : KNIT
The answer "KNIT" is correct because it describes a type of fabric that is created by interlocking yarn in a series of connected loops.
Lock up for the night / Despairs : CLOSE SHOP & LOSES HOPE
Lookout point : PEEPHOLE
"PEEPHOLE" is the right solution because a peephole is a small opening in a door that allows someone to look out and see who is on the other side without being seen. It serves as a lookout point for the person inside the room or house.
Make a quick appearance : POP IN
"POP IN" is the right solution because it means to make a brief or quick visit or appearance, which fits the clue "Make a quick appearance."
North Korea has the fourth-highest number of these, after China, India and the U.S. : TROOPS
The answer "TROOPS" fits because North Korea has the fourth-highest number of military troops, following China, India, and the U.S.
Not too sure : LEERY
The word "leery" means cautious or wary, which fits the idea of being unsure or uncertain about something.
Org. for important adults in a child’s life : PTA
The answer "PTA" stands for Parent-Teacher Association, an organization that involves important adults in a child's life - parents and teachers.
Original Super Mario console, in brief : NES
The answer "NES" stands for Nintendo Entertainment System, which is the original Super Mario console.
Part of a summer swarm : CICADA
The answer "CICADA" is correct because cicadas are insects that are known for appearing in large swarms during the summer months.
Point value of any vowel in Spanish Scrabble : UNO
The answer "UNO" is the point value of any vowel in Spanish Scrabble because "uno" means "one" in Spanish, and vowels are worth one point in the game.
River through Lyon : RHONE
The River Rhone flows through Lyon in France, making it the correct answer to the clue "River through Lyon."
Roasts : RAGS ON
The answer to "Roasts" is "BROILS" because broiling is a cooking method that involves direct heat from above, similar to roasting.
Sent a reminder text, in lingo : PINGED
The word "PINGED" is commonly used in lingo to mean sending a quick message or notification, like a reminder text.
Set of educational standards … or a hint to 17-, 23-, 34- and 46- : COMMON CORE
The phrase "COMMON CORE" can refer to a set of educational standards. In this crossword clue, the words "COMMON" and "CORE" also hint at words that can be found at the center of the answers to the 17th, 23rd, 34th, and 46th clues.
Singer/songwriter ___ Reznor : TRENT
Trent Reznor is a well-known singer and songwriter, known for his work with the band Nine Inch Nails. Therefore, the answer to the clue "Singer/songwriter ___ Reznor" is "TRENT" as Trent Reznor is the correct name to fill in the blank.
Smallest bit : WHIT
The word "iota" is often used to mean the smallest or least amount possible. It is derived from the Greek alphabet, where "iota" is the smallest letter.
Soft drink named for a nut : COLA
The answer "COLA" fits the clue because it is a type of soft drink that is commonly associated with a nut flavor, specifically the kola nut.
Something a meter reader reads? : POEM
unknown
Something to put stock in : CONSOMME
Sprinkler attachment : HOSE
The answer "HOSE" is the right solution because a hose is commonly attached to a sprinkler to supply water for watering plants or lawns.
Sticky stuff : JAM
The word "GOOP" is a colloquial term used to describe sticky substances or gooey materials. It fits perfectly with the clue "Sticky stuff" as it is a concise and commonly understood answer.
Take responsibility for, as a mistake : OWN
"Own" in this context means to acknowledge and accept responsibility for a mistake or problem. It fits the clue because taking ownership of a mistake means admitting to it and being accountable for it.
Taylor-Joy of “The Queen’s Gambit” : ANYA
Anya Taylor-Joy is the actress who portrays the main character in the Netflix series "The Queen's Gambit." Therefore, the answer to the clue "Taylor-Joy of 'The Queen's Gambit'" is "ANYA."
Unflinching : STEELY
"Steely" is the right solution because it means showing determination and strength, which is synonymous with being unflinching.
Unfriendly, as a relationship : ICY
"Icy" is used to describe a relationship that is cold and unfriendly, lacking warmth and friendliness.
Vision-related : OPTICAL
Wasabi or miso : PASTE
The answer is "PASTE" because both wasabi and miso are commonly found in paste form.
Weird flexes? : SPASMS
The answer "SPASMS" fits the clue "Weird flexes?" because spasms are unexpected and involuntary muscle contractions, which can be seen as strange or unusual flexing of muscles.
What a good fillet of fish isn’t : BONY
The answer "BONY" fits the clue because a good fillet of fish should not have any bones in it, making it bony.
What follows T.S.A., weirdly : … PRE
The answer is "PRE" because when you rearrange "T.S.A." weirdly, you get "PRE" which follows it.
Woodwinds that are usually black : OBOES
The answer "OBOES" is correct because oboes are a type of woodwind instrument that is commonly made with a black finish.
Word that becomes its own synonym if you add a “k” to the end : MAR
The word "MAR" becomes its own synonym if you add a "k" to the end, making it "MARK," which is a synonym for "MAR."
Worked (up) : RILED
The word "riled" means to be worked up or agitated, making it a suitable answer for the clue "Worked (up)."
“Let’s do this thing” : IT’S TIME
The phrase "Let's do this thing!" can be shortened to "It's on!" which sounds like "ITSON".
“My man!” : BRUH!
"Dude" is a casual term often used to address someone in a friendly or familiar way, like saying "My man!" in a casual manner.
“Phooey!” : DARN!
The answer "DARN!" fits the clue "Phooey!" because it is an exclamation used to express frustration or disappointment.
“That’s on me” : MY BAD
The phrase "my bad" is a casual way of taking responsibility for a mistake or error. It is commonly used informally to acknowledge fault or wrongdoing.
“The Incredibles” costumer / Science class display : EDNA MODE & DNA MODEL
The answer combines two separate terms: "Edna Mode" is a character known for designing costumes in "The Incredibles" movie, and "DNA model" is a common display in science class. By combining the two, you get "Edna Mode & DNA Model."
“What just happened?” reaction : WHIPLASH
The answer "WHIPLASH" fits the clue "What just happened?" reaction because whiplash is a common injury that occurs as a result of a sudden, forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck, often experienced in car accidents or other sudden events. The reaction of "What just happened?" is typically associated with the sudden and unexpected nature of whiplash.