| 100% | EEK | 3 | Cartoonish expression to indicate sudden surprise or fear |
| 54% | OHWOW | 5 | Expression to indicate amazement or surprise: 2 wds. |
| 43% | GEE | 3 | Expression to mean surprise or enthusiasm |
| 33% | SUCKERPUNCH | 11 | Sudden surprise defeat or blow |
| 33% | MYWORD | 6 | Expression to show surprise (2 words) |
| 32% | OOH | 3 | Expression often used when reacting to surprising or delightful news |
| 31% | FRIGHT | 6 | Sudden intense fear or alarm |
| 31% | MEH | 3 | A sound made to indicate boredom or disinterest |
| 31% | ALLCLEAR | 8 | Signal to indicate risk or hazard is over |
| 30% | AHA | 3 | Expression that signifies triumph or surprise |
| 30% | OHO | 3 | Expression of surprise, similar to "Aha!" |
| 30% | AYCARAMBA | 9 | Expression of surprise ... or dismay |
| 30% | SHIVER | 6 | React to fear or cold |
| 29% | YIKES | 5 | Expression of surprise that's similar to "Eek!" |
| 29% | STARTLE | 7 | Give a shock or surprise to |
| 29% | STARTLES | 8 | Gives a shock or surprise to |
| 29% | GOOSEFLESH | 10 | *Skin response to fear or cold |
| 29% | HEARTSKIPSABEAT | 15 | Reaction to sudden surprise |
| 29% | BOO | 3 | Suddenly said to scare or surprise someone |
| 29% | WHEW | 4 | Whistling sound to express relief or surprise |
| 28% | WHOA | 4 | Expression of surprise that's similar to "Hold your horses!" |
| 28% | UPSET | 5 | To have one's emotions heightened by fear or anger |
| 28% | DANG | 4 | Expression similar to "Rats!" or "Drat!" |
| 26% | URGE | 4 | To have a sudden impulse or craving |
| 26% | ETAL | 4 | Common abbreviation that seems to indicate that no one cares about the fifth or sixth authors |
| 26% | POP | 3 | With 45-Across, students' unwelcome surprise ... or a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| 26% | MARK | 4 | Exclamation ___, English language punctuation that looks like ! and indicates excitement or surprise |
| 26% | NEE | 3 | Used to indicate the maiden or family name of a married woman |
| 26% | DEER | 4 | Like a ___ in the headlights (get paralyzed due to fear or excitement) |
| 25% | NOQUARTER | 9 | Mercilessly harsh treatment, in an expression … or a hint to entering 117-Across |