| 100% | LOON | 4 | "Imaginary" creature that could appear in one of the starred answers |
| 100% | WREN | 4 | "Imaginary" creature that could appear in one of the starred answers |
| 100% | OWL | 3 | "Imaginary" creature that could appear in one of the starred answers |
| 100% | JAY | 3 | "Imaginary" creature that could appear in one of the starred answers |
| 100% | HAWK | 4 | "Imaginary" creature that could appear in one of the starred answers |
| 100% | CROW | 4 | "Imaginary" creature that could appear in one of the starred answers |
| 50% | PLAY | 4 | Word that can precede each half of the starred answers |
| 48% | TWICE | 5 | The Process of Elimination: In the answer to each starred clue, cross out any letter that appears ___; then read the letters that remain |
| 46% | ORCA | 4 | One of many creatures that sank boats off the Iberian Peninsula in the 2020s |
| 46% | HEARTED | 7 | Word that can follow the starts of 11 answers in this puzzle |
| 45% | INABOTTLE | 9 | Words that can follow the ends of the answers to the starred clues |
| 45% | POWER | 5 | Word that can follow the starts of the answers to the six starred clues |
| 45% | SHORT | 5 | Word that can precede the starts of the answers to the eight starred clues |
| 45% | BUTTERFLY | 9 | Word that can precede the starts of the answers to the five starred clues |
| 45% | SMOKE | 5 | Word that can combine with the starts of the answers to the six starred clues |
| 45% | FIRE | 4 | Word that can combine with the ends of the answers to the six starred clues |
| 44% | CAKE | 4 | Word that can follow either half of the answers to the starred clues |
| 44% | RELIGIOUSLEADERS | 16 | Keepers of the faith, and what can be found in the answers to the starred clues |
| 44% | LINE | 4 | Word that can follow each part of the answers to the six starred clues |
| 44% | SHARKWEEK | 9 | Annual Discovery Channel programming event that could feature the shows in the answers to the starred clues? |
| 43% | EWOK | 4 | One of a number of small creatures who live on the moon of Endor in the Star Wars film series |
| 43% | EWOK | 4 | One of a number of small creatures in the Star Wars film series who live on the moon of Endor |
| 43% | IMONTHEPHONE | 12 | Mouthed words that can also be said while doing the ends of the answers to the starred clues? |
| 43% | AIR | 3 | Word that can precede each half of the answers to each of the eight starred clues |
| 43% | ANNEHATHAWAY | 12 | "Interstellar" actress who appears in one of the stories on 27-Across (2 wds.) |
| 43% | PATHFINDERS | 11 | Explorers ... and ones who can determine what the answers to starred clues have in common? |
| 42% | JOHNSLATTERY | 12 | "Mad Men" actor who appears in one of the stories on 27-Across (2 wds.) |
| 42% | GOOGLEEARTH | 11 | *Popular app that can view any of the places named at the ends of the answers to the starred clues |
| 42% | YES | 3 | One of the two possible answers in 20 Questions |
| 42% | YES | 3 | One of the answers in a 20 Questions game |