| 100% | YEAROFTHEOX | 11 | 2021 in the Chinese zodiac, with a hint to 17-, 27- and 40-Across |
| 56% | OTANNENBAUM | 11 | Seasonal song with a hint to the last words in 17-, 25-, 37- and 45-Across |
| 53% | AHAMOMENT | 9 | Sudden insight ... with a hint to 17-, 24-, 40- and 50-Across |
| 51% | ONOFFSWITCH | 11 | Electrical device with a hint to answering 17-, 27- and 48-Across |
| 50% | HOPSKIPANDAJUMP | 15 | Short distance to travel, with a hint to 17-, 27- and 49-Across |
| 49% | BUTTHEADS | 9 | Disagree ... or a hint to the starts of 17-, 26-, 40- and 49-Across |
| 49% | EMPTYCALORIES | 13 | What many junk foods contain ... with a hint to the initials of 17-, 25-, 48- and 56-Across |
| 48% | QUITEAFEW | 9 | Many ... or a hint to the ends of 17-, 23-, 34-, 40- and 46-Across |
| 48% | BEFOREHAND | 10 | Earlier ... or a hint to the words circled in 17-, 21-, 37- and 51-Across |
| 48% | FRENCHTWIST | 11 | Classic hairstyle ... or a hint to the puns in 17-, 25-, 39- and 51-Across |
| 47% | FRENCHOPEN | 10 | Big clay court event ... or a hint to the answers to 17-, 26-, 40- and 52-Across |
| 47% | THATSMYJAM | 10 | “I love this song!” . . . or a hint to the starts of 17-, 27-, 39-, and 52-Across |
| 47% | ONTHERISE | 9 | Increasing, and a hint to 17- and 40-Across and 11- and 27-Down |
| 47% | HORSEPLAY | 9 | Roughhousing ... or a hint to the ends of 17-, 21-, 26-, 33-, 40-, 43-, 47- and 56-Across |
| 47% | YES | 3 | "That's correct" ... or a hint to the ends of 17-, 28-, 45- and 59-Across, in different languages |
| 46% | NOTMYFIRSTRODEO | 15 | "Done this before, you know!" ... or a hint to the last words of 17-, 23-, 31-, 40- and 48-Across |
| 46% | FOURHCLUBS | 10 | Youth groups ... with a hint to 17-, 28- and 44-Across |
| 46% | OUTERMOST | 9 | Farthest from the center, and a hint to 17-, 24-, 40- and 51-Across |
| 46% | THROWINTHETOWEL | 15 | Call it quits ... with a hint to 17-, 23-, 48- and 56-Across |
| 45% | CHILDSPLAY | 10 | "Piece of cake!" (and a hint to the starts of 17-Across and 11- and 27-Down) |
| 45% | COLDOPEN | 8 | Start of each "S.N.L." episode ... or a hint to the initials of the words in 17-, 24-, 35- and 47-Across |
| 45% | FINDINGNEMO | 11 | 2003 animated film … with a hint to 17-, 32- and 41-Across |
| 45% | ATEFORTWO | 9 | Dined with a bun in the oven, or what can be found in 17-, 26-, 40-, and 51-Across |
| 45% | SIUNITS | 7 | Basic physical measures ... or a hint to 17-, 27-, 48- and 63-Across |
| 45% | TOP | 3 | With 39-Across, refill to capacity ... or a hint to interpreting the clues at 17-, 27-, 46- and 61-Across |
| 45% | SAYAGAIN | 8 | "Huh?"...or a hint to 17-, 23-, 40- and 53-Across |
| 44% | COLORCOMMENTARY | 15 | Broadcast booth analysis … or a hint to 17-, 27- and 47-Across |
| 44% | CARDHOLDER | 10 | One with credit ... or a literal hint to 17-, 27- and 44-Across |
| 44% | YEAROFTHEMONKEY | 15 | 2004 ... with a hint to the starts of 20-, 34- and 51-Across |
| 44% | TALEOFTWOCITIES | 15 | Classic novel, following "A," with a literal hint to 17-, 27- and 48-Across |