| 100% | THEBRIDGE | 9 | First part of a 1952 best seller's title, followed by 37- and 51-Across |
| 37% | GONE | 4 | Start of a 1936 best seller's title |
| 37% | CONGRATULATIONS | 15 | First part of a message suggested by this puzzle's circled letters |
| 34% | OPERA | 5 | Word that can follow the first parts of 17- and 51-Across and 11- and 25-Down |
| 34% | TOWEL | 5 | Word that can follow the first parts of 20- and 51-Across and 11- and 29-Down |
| 34% | CAST | 4 | Part of a film's credits that's often followed by "In order of appearance" |
| 34% | EXCLAVE | 7 | Part of a country that's separated from its mainland and surrounded by different country |
| 34% | SATURDAYNIGHT | 13 | Time period that can precede the first parts of 20-, 37- and 44-Across |
| 33% | HOMESTRETCH | 11 | Last part of a race...and what 24, 39 and 51 Across do to some letters contained in 18 Across? |
| 33% | CRUMB | 5 | Part of a path left by Hansel and Gretel |
| 33% | LENS | 4 | See-through part of a 51 Across |
| 33% | POOR | 4 | Start of a word ladder whose first and last words are suggested by 36-Across |
| 32% | HAND | 4 | Word that may precede the first parts of 17-, 37- and 61-Across and 11- and 28-Down |
| 32% | SCENEI | 6 | First part of a play's act |
| 32% | WINS | 4 | First part of a team's record |
| 32% | VALENTINE | 9 | End of a question begun by part of 19-, 23-, 42- and 48-Across |
| 32% | HOCUS | 5 | First part of a magician's rhyming phrase |
| 32% | COCA | 4 | First part of a soft drink's name |
| 32% | ISLAND | 6 | "The ___ of Doctor Moreau," 1896 science fiction novel by H.G. Wells that follows a scientist and his hybrid creations |
| 32% | KEY | 3 | Fundamental, and a word that can follow the first parts of 20-, 31-, 41- and 52-Across |
| 31% | DALAI | 5 | Part of a monk's title |
| 31% | HOLINESS | 8 | Part of a pope's title |
| 31% | BEAM | 4 | Smile (and a word that can follow the first parts of 21- and 49-Across and 3- and 29-Down) |
| 31% | DALAI | 5 | Part of a Tibetan leader's title |
| 31% | GAMECHANGER | 11 | Cause of a major paradigm shift, and an apt description of 17-, 25-, 37-, and 51-Across as well as their sets of circled letters |
| 30% | TRE | 3 | Third album of a Green Day trilogy, following "¡Uno!" and "¡Dos!" ... and the first name of the band's drummer |
| 30% | FIN | 3 | Part of a shark that's often seen first |
| 30% | ACTI | 4 | First part of a play |
| 30% | WINS | 4 | First part of a record |
| 30% | ACTI | 4 | First part of a musical |