| 100% | PARRY | 5 | Deflect, as an insult or a sword |
| 68% | WELLAIMED | 9 | On the mark, as an insult or a dart |
| 53% | BACKATYOU | 9 | Remark that may immediately follow an insult or a compliment |
| 52% | PARRY | 5 | Deflect, as an opponent's sword |
| 50% | DOT | 3 | Finish, as an "i" or a "j" |
| 47% | KICKSTART | 9 | Get going, as an old motorcycle or a new company |
| 47% | ECONOMY | 7 | Low-cost, as an airplane seat or a rental car |
| 47% | ARACHNID | 8 | An invertebrate such as a spider or scorpion |
| 46% | DANCEAROUND | 11 | Skirt, as an issue ... or a hint to the puzzle's circles |
| 46% | SENDS | 5 | Transmits, as a text or an email |
| 46% | SPARK | 5 | Ignite, as a fire or an idea |
| 46% | WHET | 4 | Sharpen, as a blade or an appetite |
| 45% | REFER | 5 | Look (to), as a dictionary or an encyclopedia |
| 45% | HIJACK | 6 | Take over, as a conversation … or an airplane |
| 45% | MEMENTO | 7 | An object kept as a reminder of a person or event |
| 45% | WRITER | 6 | A scribe, such as an author or journalist |
| 44% | REGIMELESS | 10 | Lacking an institutionalized power structure, as a city or state |
| 44% | KICKSTARTS | 10 | Reinvigorates, as an economy ... or a hint to the beginnings of the answers to starred clues |
| 43% | BULB | 4 | Bottom of a plant such as a tulip or an onion |
| 43% | TOY | 3 | Plaything such as an action figure or stuffed animal that one may collect as a hobby |
| 43% | WIELD | 5 | Hold or handle, as a sword |
| 42% | LIMB | 4 | A body part, such as an arm or leg |
| 42% | RESENTED | 8 | Took as an insult |
| 42% | HOLDONTOYOURHAT | 15 | "This may come as a shock," or an apt title for this puzzle |
| 42% | GOSIDEWAYS | 10 | Completely fall apart, as a deal, or an apt title for this puzzle? |
| 42% | SPRAINED | 8 | Wrenched a joint such as an ankle or wrist |
| 41% | RUBIN | 5 | Continue delivering, as an insult |
| 41% | ATBAT | 5 | A walk or a hit by pitch does not count as an official one |
| 41% | MANGETOUT | 9 | Pea with an edible pod also known as a sugar pea or snow pea |
| 41% | MOVIETROPE | 10 | Common film device, such as a training montage or an enemies-to-lovers arc |