| 100% | SLEEP | 5 | *Nighttime rest that is celebrated today... and a clue to connect 13a, 38a, 44a, 48a, 9d, and 30d |
| 32% | DROPIT | 6 | "That'll be enough of that subject" ... and a hint to solving the answers to starred clues |
| 32% | PINK | 4 | Flamingo color that is a clue to 12a, 22a, 26a, 45a, 23d and 35d |
| 31% | PUTONTHEDOG | 11 | Pretend to be wealthy, in old slang ... and a hint to words that end answers to starred clues |
| 30% | THANKS | 6 | "No ___" (one way to say "not happening" that is similar to 16a, 45a, 48a, 3d and 30d) |
| 30% | HOBBY | 5 | Activity that is a perfect way to relax and unwind, and that may be your reason to smile today |
| 29% | STIRUPDRAMA | 11 | Create tension in a group, and a direction that was followed when forming the answer to each starred clue? |
| 29% | HERO | 4 | *Person who saves the day... and a word you may use to describe those being celebrated in this puzzle |
| 29% | MINDBLOWN | 9 | "Wow, that's unbelievable!" and a clue to the circled letters |
| 29% | VINCENT | 7 | 1971 song by Don McLean that is named after and a tribute to Dutch artist Van Gogh |
| 29% | PIZZA | 5 | Papa John's offering... and a clue to solve 29a, 40a, 46a, 48a, and 51d. |
| 28% | EYELESS | 7 | Unable to see ... or, when taken as a homophone, what today's puzzle answers and clues all are |
| 28% | HAMBURGER | 9 | *Classic grilled patty in a bun...and a hint to solve 13a, 27a, 44a, and 4d |
| 28% | BUTTERFLY | 9 | Word that must be added to 1-, 8-, 65- and 66-Across for their clues to make sense [with a visual hint in the grid] |
| 27% | HXHHXHHXHHXHHXH | 15 | When the ends of each of its letters are connected to those above and below, a simplified schematic of a famous structure |
| 27% | IMOUT | 5 | "Peace!," and a hint to how the answers to the starred clues were formed |
| 27% | MIDDLENAME | 10 | What 50-Across is ... or a clue to 17-, 29-, 35- and 45-Across |
| 27% | CATNIP | 6 | A herb that is minty in flavour and causes euphoria to felines |
| 27% | KEEPITPG | 8 | "Tone down that PDA, there are kids around," and a hint to five answers in this puzzle |
| 27% | POPSICLE | 8 | Frozen treat that is assumed to be a portmanteau of the words "pop" and "icicle" |
| 26% | DISENCHANTED | 12 | 2022 film starring Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey that is a sequel to a 2007 film |
| 26% | EGO | 3 | Word hidden in this clue that might be a detriment to negotiations |
| 26% | MAC | 3 | ___ and cheese, a casserole baked in oven that is considered to be a comfort food in the US |
| 26% | CINDERELLA | 10 | Popular rags-to-riches folk tale ... or a hint to solve 13a, 15a, 45a, 27d, and 30d |
| 26% | JUSTTAKETHEL | 12 | "Oh, admit defeat already!," and advice that was followed to form the answers to the starred clues |
| 26% | MIGRATORY | 9 | *37a was a type of ___ (nomadic) bird that traveled long distances and was used to send messages. |
| 26% | WINTER | 6 | Cold season that is a common setting for 19a, 44a, 42d, and 46d |
| 26% | HYPHEN | 6 | English language punctuation that looks like - and is used to connect compound words |
| 26% | UHAUL | 5 | Moving service that rents out trucks and is a rival to Ryder: Hyph. |
| 26% | ANDREADWORKIN | 13 | “Intercourse” writer who envisioned a “road to freedom open to women, men, and that emerging majority, the rest of us” |