| 100% | PRAYER | 6 | Act of pleading to a deity in a word or thought |
| 49% | LETSCALLITADAY | 14 | "I think we're done here" … or a hint to translating each of the four shaded words in this puzzle |
| 46% | BURIAL | 6 | Act of putting a dead body in a grave or tomb |
| 43% | AFFIX | 5 | Add-on to the start or end of a word stem (as in 17-, 25-, 35-, 49- and 57-Across) |
| 42% | DEADENDS | 8 | Unfruitful paths ... or a description of both words in the answers to the seven starred clues? |
| 42% | HOLM | 4 | German word that refers to an island in a river or a lake |
| 42% | CHEERS | 6 | Rallying words from fans in the stands, or a cry to mark the New Year's tradition of raising glasses |
| 41% | STUNT | 5 | A daring act in a movie or show; to slow or hinder |
| 41% | PRAYERS | 7 | Words spoken or thought directed at a deity |
| 41% | DRAWABLANK | 10 | Fail to think of anything . . . or a crossword clue for the first word of 17-, 25-, 39-, or 49-Across |
| 41% | DEPICT | 6 | To show or represent in a form of art |
| 40% | MEDICALLY | 9 | In a way related to treatment of illness or injury |
| 40% | ICE | 3 | Rocks in a cocktail or word with "land" to make Reykjavik's country |
| 40% | PROPHET | 7 | He claims to interpret the thoughts of a deity |
| 39% | 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 |
| 39% | IDO | 3 | Words said in front of a judge or a preacher: 2 wds. |
| 39% | WHEEL | 5 | Word before "house" to refer to a part of a boat or ship, and something that's not actually a house |
| 39% | CHECKPLEASE | 11 | Words to a server ... or a hint to the first words of the answers to starred clues |
| 39% | ELEMENTAL | 9 | A word that means simple and basic, or pertaining to forces of nature |
| 39% | PRETEND | 7 | Put on an act... or a word that ends in "end" |
| 39% | ATTEND | 6 | Go to an event... or a word that ends in "end" |
| 39% | ISEE | 4 | Words uttered in understanding, or possibly a total lack of interest |
| 38% | BUGSOUT | 7 | Leaves in a hurry, or a hint to the cluing of the starred answers |
| 38% | DONATION | 8 | Act of giving to a charity |
| 38% | VEGETABLESHORTENING | 19 | Canful in a cupboard ... or a hint to parts of six answers in this puzzle |
| 38% | DISCIPLINE | 10 | Train someone to obey ... or a word that means "area of academic focus" |
| 38% | BLACKFRIDAY | 11 | Time of annual madness ... or a hint to four squares in this puzzle |
| 38% | MUD | 3 | Kind of pie, or change a letter in 18d to get the answer |
| 38% | SPAN | 4 | Word with "life" or "attention" to mean a duration of time |
| 38% | REFERRAL | 8 | Act of recommendation to a specialist doctor |