| 100% | BEAT | 4 | "With clues that are difficult to ___..." (2/5) |
| 59% | BURDEN | 6 | Something that is difficult to bear |
| 58% | BONY | 4 | Like fish that are difficult to eat |
| 58% | HOOKSHOTS | 9 | Basket attempts that are difficult to block |
| 58% | ORGANS | 6 | Instruments that are difficult to donate, ironically |
| 58% | FINALFRONTIER | 13 | With "The," what "space" is, in the intro to 5-/58-Across: 2 wds. |
| 58% | HOOKSHOTS | 9 | Basketball scoring attempts that are difficult to block |
| 58% | SLUR | 4 | Way of talking that is difficult to understand |
| 58% | INK | 3 | Blue stain that is difficult to wash out |
| 56% | ORALS | 5 | Exams that are difficult to take while suffering from laryngitis |
| 52% | IMNOTADOCTOR | 12 | With 40- and 48-Across, much-mocked ad phrase that could have been said by the answers to the four starred clues |
| 51% | IDO | 3 | Words that are sealed with a kiss: 2 wds. |
| 50% | TELEPHONE | 9 | Device with keys that is used to call a friend |
| 50% | RYEBREAD | 8 | Deli loaf that is an alternative to white: 2 wds. |
| 50% | SCYLLAAND | 9 | With 33-Down, difficult things to be "between" |
| 50% | AROCKANDA | 9 | With 30-Down, difficult things to be "between" |
| 49% | MAMA | 4 | Parental term that is phonetically more difficult to say than "dada" |
| 49% | FROS | 4 | Hairdos that are hard to wear hats with, familiarly |
| 49% | AZALEA | 6 | Flowering shrub with leaves that are toxic to dogs |
| 48% | EGO | 3 | Word hidden in this clue that might be a detriment to negotiations |
| 48% | TIDE | 4 | With 5-Down, cleaning products that people are inexplicably eating |
| 48% | CARKEYS | 7 | Items that are used to start older automobiles: 2 wds. |
| 48% | ELEPHANT | 8 | Animal that is unable to fly with its ears, regrettably |
| 48% | OPART | 5 | Pictures that may be difficult to focus on |
| 48% | SKINNYJEANS | 11 | *Looks that can be difficult to pull off |
| 48% | IFSO | 4 | "Should that prove to be true ...": 2 wds. |
| 48% | COLORINGBOOK | 12 | 2019 addition to the Toy Hall of Fame that may be filled with cartoon characters (2 wds.) |
| 48% | REDSEA | 6 | Body of water that was parted by Moses, according to Exodus: 2 wds. |
| 48% | COBRAKAI | 8 | Netflix series that is a sequel to the "Karate Kid" franchise: 2 wds. |
| 48% | KOALABEAR | 9 | Nonprimate with fingerprints that are nearly identical to a human's |