| 100% | VALIDATE | 8 | Check or show the truth of something |
| 55% | PROVE | 5 | Show the truth of |
| 53% | NEGATE | 6 | Deny the truth of something |
| 49% | EVALUATE | 8 | Gage or assess the amount of something |
| 47% | DISPUTES | 8 | Questions the truth or validity of |
| 44% | CURVEBALL | 9 | Something totally unexpected or out of the blue |
| 44% | IDED | 4 | Checked the driver's license or passport of |
| 43% | NEW | 3 | Something that is fresh, or right out of the box. Brand ___ |
| 42% | RETENTION | 9 | The continued control or possession of something |
| 42% | CARTALK | 7 | Former NPR show, or a description of the starred answers |
| 42% | GENESIS | 7 | The origin or coming into being of something |
| 42% | EDGE | 4 | The boundary or rim of something |
| 42% | QUANTITY | 8 | The amount or number of something |
| 42% | GENESIS | 7 | The beginning or birth of something |
| 42% | TEXTURE | 7 | The feel or consistency of something |
| 42% | ONSET | 5 | The start or beginning of something |
| 41% | DEFLECT | 7 | Change the path or direction of something |
| 41% | DEFINE | 6 | Describe the meaning or character of something |
| 41% | MIDDLEENGLISH | 13 | Tongue of Chaucer ... or what's literally shown in the shaded squares? |
| 40% | OPPUGN | 6 | Question the truth of |
| 40% | NEGATED | 7 | Denied the truth of |
| 40% | VERIFIED | 8 | Established the truth of |
| 40% | GENESIS | 7 | English rock band, or the beginning of something |
| 39% | SWEARSTO | 8 | Vouches for the truth of |
| 39% | DEBUNK | 6 | Lay bare the truth of |
| 39% | HOUSE | 5 | (3/5) Check behind the gingerbread ___ made of confectionery, or maybe even in it? |
| 39% | DEJAVU | 6 | Olivia Rodrigo hit, or the eerie feeling of having previously experienced something: 2 wds. |
| 39% | FINDCLOSURE | 11 | Accept and let go of something … or a hint to the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| 39% | ASYMMETRY | 9 | Imbalance, or, parsed differently, kind of balance shown by the circles |
| 39% | ALTERED | 7 | Modify something such as to change the size, shape or style of a dress (past) |