| 100% | TURNCOAT | 8 | Benedict Arnold was a traitor or this |
| 48% | DEFECTED | 8 | Benedict Arnold did this when he turned traitor |
| 46% | FUNGUS | 6 | A mushroom or toadstool is this |
| 44% | ALIEN | 5 | A thing or being not from this planet |
| 44% | HEPATITIS | 9 | This may be A or B |
| 44% | BREAKOUT | 8 | This could be a pimple or a sudden success |
| 44% | REPTILE | 7 | A snake or lizard is this class of animal |
| 42% | OVEN | 4 | A kiln is one of these, used for wood or clay |
| 42% | WUTHERING | 9 | These Heights are a Brontë novel or Kate Bush song |
| 41% | BACKSTAB | 8 | Be a traitor to |
| 41% | BLUBBER | 7 | A qulliq is a stone lamp burning seal oil or this |
| 41% | TICKALLTHEBOXES | 15 | Be fully qualified ... or a hint to interpreting this puzzle's shaded squares |
| 40% | COMPUTER | 8 | A Mac or iMac is a type of this |
| 39% | DROPMEALINE | 11 | "Don't be a stranger!" ... or what you have to do three times in this puzzle |
| 39% | SKUNKS | 6 | A group of these animals is a stench or surfeit |
| 39% | DEFECTOR | 8 | A traitor or someone who abandons their homeland |
| 39% | CHILDCARE | 9 | This is provided by a nursery or preschool |
| 38% | IRON | 4 | Spinach is a good source of this |
| 38% | BETWEENYOUANDME | 15 | "Let this be our little secret" ... with a hint to 18-, 23-, 50- or 54-Across |
| 38% | DRAY | 4 | A group of squirrels is called a scurry or this |
| 37% | THEREVIEWSAREIN | 15 | "Critics have spoken"... or a hint to what's been added to this puzzle's themed answers |
| 37% | CORPORATEMERGER | 15 | Business acquisition ... or a hint to how the answers to the starred clues in this puzzle were formed? |
| 37% | EMPLOYED | 8 | A person with a job is this |
| 37% | BORROWEDTIME | 12 | A daredevil may be living on this |
| 37% | NOCIGAR | 7 | A near success is close but this |
| 37% | SARI | 4 | A choli may be worn under this |
| 37% | AUTO | 4 | A camera may be set on this |
| 37% | KEY | 3 | A lock cannot be opened without this |
| 37% | CSPAN | 5 | A political debate might be on this |
| 37% | UNANIMOUS | 9 | A vote with no dissent is this |