| 100% | OFFICEMAXIM | 11 | "You don't have to be busy to look busy," e.g.? |
| 54% | RUDE | 4 | "You don't have to be a jerk about it!" |
| 51% | THESPADESOFJACK | 15 | "You don't have to be a gardener to dig this book about Kerouac's tools" |
| 51% | ELECTIVE | 8 | You don't have to take it |
| 50% | ARREST | 6 | You don't want to be under this |
| 50% | NONEED | 6 | "Really, you don't have to" |
| 50% | NONEED | 6 | "Seriously, you don't have to" |
| 50% | TROOPERS | 8 | You don't want to be on their radar |
| 50% | OPTIONAL | 8 | Something you don't have to choose |
| 50% | ELECTIVES | 9 | What you don't have to take |
| 49% | THREAT | 6 | "If you don't tell them, I will," e.g. |
| 49% | ROW | 3 | You don't want to be in the last one |
| 49% | ARREST | 6 | Something you don't want to be under |
| 49% | LISTEN | 6 | You don't have to face the music to do it |
| 49% | NONEED | 6 | "Thanks, but you don't have to" (2 wds.) |
| 49% | FREEGIFT | 8 | Something you don't have to pay for, redundantly |
| 49% | ONS | 3 | Clip-___ (ties that don't have to be tied) |
| 49% | CAMO | 4 | What you don't want to be spotted in |
| 49% | CAMO | 4 | Garb you don't want to be seen in |
| 49% | CAMO | 4 | Pattern you don't want to be seen in |
| 48% | EASYA | 5 | Class where you don't have to study much to do well: 2 wds. |
| 48% | COOKIEJAR | 9 | You don't want to be caught with your hand in one |
| 48% | TIEATIE | 7 | What you don't have to do on casual Friday |
| 48% | THATGUY | 7 | Fellow you don't want to be, in a phrase |
| 48% | ICANTAKEAHINT | 13 | "You don't have to explain what you mean" |
| 47% | OPEN | 4 | Like relationships where the partners don't have to be monogamous |
| 47% | DROLLMODEL | 10 | Person you are supposed to look up to who always has a whimsical demeanor? |
| 47% | AISLESEAT | 9 | Sit here if you don't want to be by a window |
| 47% | GOHOME | 6 | "You don't have to ___, but you can't stay here" |
| 46% | HOSTAGE | 7 | Way you probably don't want to be held |