| 100% | DROWNING | 8 | "Not waving but __" according to Stevie Smith |
| 65% | DROWNING | 8 | "Not waving but __", said female poet Stevie Smith |
| 43% | ILLEGAL | 7 | Not according to Hoyle |
| 43% | UNTRUE | 6 | Not according to facts |
| 43% | AWRY | 4 | Not according to plan |
| 43% | ILLOGICAL | 9 | Not according to Mr. Spock |
| 43% | RUDE | 4 | Not according to Miss Manners |
| 43% | ONCE | 4 | Not enough, according to Susann |
| 42% | OUT | 3 | Not safe, according to the ump |
| 42% | ABIT | 4 | To some degree, but not much |
| 42% | STEVIE | 6 | Author of the poetry volumes Harold's Leap and Not Waving But Drowning |
| 41% | SPRAIN | 6 | To twist but not dislocate a ligament |
| 41% | WINGIT | 6 | Not go according to plan? |
| 41% | UNTIL | 5 | Up to, but not beyond |
| 41% | LEND | 4 | Give, but not to keep |
| 41% | LENDS | 5 | Gives, but not to keep |
| 40% | WITCH | 5 | Hag to change, but not initially |
| 40% | AMINUS | 6 | Not perfect, but close to excellent |
| 40% | TIE | 3 | Catch up to, but not pass |
| 39% | ALLEYS | 6 | Where to see strikes but not strikeouts |
| 39% | COIN | 4 | Something to toss but not throw away |
| 39% | SEMITONE | 8 | B to C, but not A to B |
| 39% | NEARMISS | 8 | Very close to target, but not hitting it |
| 39% | ESC | 3 | Key used to get out, but not in |
| 38% | SENTENCE | 8 | Five to nine, maybe, but not nine to five |
| 38% | STRAW | 5 | Addition to a soda, but not to a beer |
| 38% | MAGNETS | 7 | They're attractive, but not necessarily to each other |
| 38% | TALLORDER | 9 | Task that is tough to complete, but not impossible |
| 38% | DOGTOYS | 7 | They're chewable but not meant to be eaten |
| 38% | INTER | 5 | Lead-in to com or net, but not org |