| 100% | SEAR | 4 | Brown the surface of, as a steak |
| 94% | SEAR | 4 | Brown the surface of, as scallops or a steak |
| 81% | SEAR | 4 | Brown the outside of, as a steak |
| 78% | SEARS | 5 | Chars the surface of, as a tuna steak |
| 67% | SEAR | 4 | Blacken the surface of, as a sirloin |
| 67% | SANDS | 5 | Smooths the surface of, as a plank |
| 67% | MAR | 3 | Damage the surface of, as a car |
| 64% | SEAR | 4 | Char the surface of, as steak on the grill |
| 60% | ADSORBS | 7 | Gathers on the surface, as a layer of molecules |
| 59% | SEAR | 4 | Cook the exterior of, as a tuna steak |
| 58% | DEPTH | 5 | Distance below the surface, as of a swimming pool |
| 57% | SEAR | 4 | Seal in the juices of, as a grilled steak |
| 54% | SANDS | 5 | Smooths the surface of, as wood |
| 52% | RHUMB | 5 | Curve on the surface of a sphere |
| 52% | CAMBER | 6 | Curvature on the surface of a road |
| 52% | SCUM | 4 | Film on the surface of a liquid |
| 52% | MAR | 3 | Damage the surface of a car, say |
| 52% | MAR | 3 | Scratch the surface of a car, say |
| 52% | DENTS | 5 | Flaws on the surface of a can |
| 52% | BURNT | 5 | Cooked to the point of charring, as a steak |
| 52% | TOPPER | 6 | Decoration placed on the surface of a cake |
| 52% | SCUM | 4 | Gunky stuff on the surface of a pond |
| 51% | SCARIFIER | 9 | Spiked tool breaks up the surface of a lawn |
| 51% | SCUM | 4 | Unwanted frothy layer on the surface of a liquid |
| 50% | LILYPAD | 7 | Plant floating on the surface of a pond: 2 wds. |
| 50% | AREA | 4 | Sphere ... or 4πr^2, for the surface of a sphere |
| 50% | SEAR | 4 | Brown quickly, as a steak |
| 49% | RIVERBED | 8 | The surface at the bottom of a stream etc |
| 49% | SEAR | 4 | Brown a bit, as a steak |
| 49% | RECHEW | 6 | Try again on, as a piece of steak |