| 100% | MAQUETTE | 8 | An animator's miniature model or mock-up |
| 40% | SHAPING | 7 | Modeling or carving an image |
| 35% | GOOF | 4 | Mess up or cause an error |
| 34% | CRUCIFIX | 8 | An image or model of Jesus on the cross |
| 34% | NOMINEE | 7 | Person up for an Emmy or Tony |
| 34% | TALKOFTHETOWN | 13 | Something stirring up local buzz . . . or an apt way to describe this puzzle’s starred clues |
| 33% | SELL | 4 | Put up an eBay or Depop listing for, maybe |
| 32% | WELLROUNDEDDIET | 15 | Nutritionist's recommendation … or what the answers to the starred clues make up, to an overly literal person? |
| 31% | MAQUETTE | 8 | Sculptor's preliminary model or draft |
| 31% | KAONS | 5 | Particles consisting of a strange quark and an up or down antiquark |
| 31% | MINUET | 6 | It's done in the form of an S or a Z |
| 30% | PARTSDEPARTMENT | 15 | Place in an auto dealership to pick up wiper blades or spark plugs |
| 29% | CHRYSALIS | 9 | An insect's pupa or its covering |
| 29% | RTE | 3 | UPS or FedEx driver's path: Abbr. |
| 29% | POSER | 5 | Model or riddle |
| 29% | ADMIRE | 6 | Regard highly or look up to as a role model |
| 29% | SCALE | 5 | Model railroader's HO or O, for example |
| 29% | QUESTION | 8 | An interrogative sentence or clause that's asked |
| 29% | EXCUSE | 6 | An explanation for one's mistakes or failures |
| 29% | GLOBE | 5 | Miniature model of Earth |
| 28% | EGG | 3 | An ostrich's can weigh up to 3 pounds |
| 28% | BEETLE | 6 | Volkswagen model that's also an insect |
| 28% | TRESS | 5 | What's done up in an updo |
| 28% | YOYO | 4 | It's an up-and-down thing |
| 28% | NOMINEE | 7 | One who's up for an award |
| 28% | AFUSS | 5 | Something that's kicked up or raised |
| 28% | REEL | 4 | Fisherman's gear or an Instagram feature |
| 28% | CAR | 3 | It goes back and forth on a street or up and down in an elevator shaft |
| 28% | PENINSULA | 9 | Michigan's Upper ___ or Mexico's Yucatán ___ |
| 28% | JAB | 3 | Poke or mock |