| 100% | TEC | 3 | A sleuth or private eye, for short |
| 55% | TEC | 3 | Private eye, for short |
| 55% | TECS | 4 | Private eyes, for short |
| 49% | EXPO | 4 | A fair or convention, for short: Abbr |
| 46% | BIOL | 4 | Short word for a science, not chem or phys |
| 46% | TEMPORARY | 9 | Lasting for a short or limited time |
| 45% | DIF | 3 | "Not the same," for short (also, a starting to "-fuse" or "-ference") |
| 45% | BUTTON | 6 | Shirt fastener or makeshift eye for a toy |
| 45% | DMED | 4 | Sent a private text, for short |
| 44% | SIB | 3 | Short for a brother or a sister |
| 44% | CASE | 4 | Job for a private eye |
| 44% | TRACKSHOES | 10 | Footwear for a private eye? |
| 44% | POBOX | 5 | Certain mailing address, for short ... or a hint to 14 squares in this puzzle |
| 44% | VET | 3 | Doctor for a collie or calico, for short |
| 44% | BRO | 3 | Call a homie or a sibling, for short |
| 43% | PAREN | 5 | Figure above a 9 or 0, for short |
| 43% | MOD | 3 | Enhancement to a car or bike, for short |
| 43% | ETA | 3 | When a plane or train is due, for short |
| 43% | EVAC | 4 | Extraction from a hurricane or flood zone, for short |
| 43% | AUTO | 4 | Car or a truck, for short |
| 43% | PANDG | 5 | Consumer products giant, for short ... or a hint to the answers to the eight starred clues |
| 43% | CSTORE | 6 | WaWa or a bodega, for short |
| 42% | PROMO | 5 | A teaser, or a spot on TV, for short |
| 42% | CHERCHEZLAFEMMEFATALE | 21 | Advice for a Hollywood private eye? |
| 42% | SHADOWANDTELL | 13 | *Job description for a private eye? |
| 42% | SLEUTH | 6 | Detective or private eye |
| 41% | MAG | 3 | Monthly publication like a Vogue or Elle, for short |
| 41% | BRONC | 5 | Short name for a wild or half-tamed horse |
| 41% | STA | 3 | Place to catch a bus or train, for short |
| 41% | BUTTONS | 7 | Song by The Pussycat Dolls or things to use for a snowman's eyes |