| 100% | BEFOREHAND | 10 | Earlier ... or a hint to the words circled in 17-, 21-, 37- and 51-Across |
| 65% | SPLITENDS | 9 | Hair challenge … or a hint to the last words of 17-, 25-, 37- and 51-Across |
| 60% | FRENCHTWIST | 11 | Classic hairstyle ... or a hint to the puns in 17-, 25-, 39- and 51-Across |
| 57% | COLDOPEN | 8 | Start of each "S.N.L." episode ... or a hint to the initials of the words in 17-, 24-, 35- and 47-Across |
| 54% | LANGUAGEBARRIER | 15 | Foreigner's obstacle ... or a hint to hidden words in 17-, 29-, 37- and 49-Across |
| 54% | ATHLETICCUP | 11 | Protective sportswear ... or a hint to the ends of 17-, 24-, 36- and 51-Across |
| 54% | PIECEOFCAKE | 11 | Easy-peasy ... or a hint to the start of 17-, 24-, 36- and 51-Across |
| 54% | OTANNENBAUM | 11 | Seasonal song with a hint to the last words in 17-, 25-, 37- and 45-Across |
| 53% | SODAMIXER | 9 | Ingredient in some cocktails ... or a hint to the last words in 17-, 23-, 32-, 43- and 48-Across |
| 53% | CORNERSTORE | 11 | Local convenience ... or a hint to the words in the circled squares |
| 53% | HIDDENFIGURES | 13 | 2016 Best Picture nominee ... or a hint to the circled letters in 20-, 25- and 43-Across |
| 53% | ITMEANSALOTTOME | 15 | "I'm deeply indebted" ... or a hint to the ends of 17-, 25-, 51- and 64-Across |
| 53% | HORSEPLAY | 9 | Roughhousing ... or a hint to the ends of 17-, 21-, 26-, 33-, 40-, 43-, 47- and 56-Across |
| 53% | HOLDIT | 6 | "Stop right there!" … or a hint to the first words of 17-, 23-, 47- and 59-Across |
| 52% | THEPLOTTHICKENS | 15 | "Now things are getting interesting" ... or a hint to the first words of 17-, 24-, 45- and 57-Across |
| 52% | YES | 3 | "That's correct" ... or a hint to the ends of 17-, 28-, 45- and 59-Across, in different languages |
| 52% | STICKEMUP | 9 | "Hands in the air!" ... or a literal hint to 17-, 23-, 37- and 46-Across |
| 52% | MOCKTAIL | 8 | Nonalcoholic mixed drink … or a hint to the synonyms found at the ends of 16-, 24-, 37- and 51-Across |
| 51% | FIVEIRONS | 9 | Fairway clubs ... or a hint to the starts of the answers to 17-, 24- and 45-Across and 10- and 37-Down |
| 51% | HUEANDCRY | 9 | Public uproar … or a phonetic hint to the two words in 17-, 28- and 48-Across? |
| 50% | FIGUREHEAD | 10 | Carved decoration on a ship's prow ... or a hint to the first word of 17-, 25-, 37- and 45-Across |
| 50% | NOTMYFIRSTRODEO | 15 | "Done this before, you know!" ... or a hint to the last words of 17-, 23-, 31-, 40- and 48-Across |
| 49% | ITSMEAGAIN | 10 | "I'm back!" … or a hint to 17-, 24-, 38- and 51- Across |
| 49% | SEEMEAFTERCLASS | 15 | Ominous request from a teacher ... or a hint to the first words (and following letters!) of 17-, 26- and 43-Across |
| 48% | THINKBIG | 8 | "Shoot for the moon!" ... or a hint to interpreting the clues to 17-, 25-, 35- and 51-Across |
| 48% | QUITEAFEW | 9 | Many ... or a hint to the ends of 17-, 23-, 34-, 40- and 46-Across |
| 48% | BBQ | 3 | Cookout, briefly ... or a hint to the ends of 17-, 23-, 52- and 58-Across |
| 48% | TASTEMAKERS | 11 | Influential sorts ... or a hint to the starts of 17-, 23-, 39- and 50-Across |
| 48% | HAPPYFOURTH | 11 | Annual greeting ... or a hint to the ends of 17-, 26-, 39- and 48-Across |
| 48% | THREEON | 7 | Bases loaded ... or a hint to the contents of 17-, 26-, 44- and 56-Across |