| 100% | TOPMOST | 7 | Highest in status or position, like a CEO |
| 49% | PROMOTED | 8 | Raised to a higher status or position at work |
| 46% | SUPERIOR | 8 | Higher in position or rank |
| 44% | SOLID | 5 | Like a cylinder or cube, in geometry |
| 44% | SIMIAN | 6 | Like a monkey or ape in appearance |
| 44% | EXTRA | 5 | Like a 10th or 11th inning, in baseball |
| 44% | HOT | 3 | Like a sauna or Sedona in the summer |
| 43% | OMEN | 4 | Like a raven or black cat in old lores |
| 43% | OVERPAR | 7 | Like a bogey or double bogey, in golf (2 wds.) |
| 42% | HANDBAG | 7 | Like a purse in the US, or wallet in the UK |
| 42% | ACES | 4 | Highest or lowest cards in a deck |
| 42% | ACE | 3 | Highest or lowest card in a deck |
| 42% | TYPESET | 7 | Like words in a magazine or newspaper |
| 42% | ACE | 3 | High or low card in a deck |
| 41% | DEER | 4 | Like a ___ in the headlights (get paralyzed due to fear or excitement) |
| 41% | ONEEYED | 7 | Like a cyclops or some of the Minions in "Despicable Me": Hyph. |
| 41% | CAPED | 5 | Dressed like a vampire or a superhero, in a way |
| 41% | NOGO | 4 | Canceled, like a mission ... or like four answers in this puzzle? |
| 41% | RUNTY | 5 | Like the smallest puppy or kitten in a litter |
| 41% | ADJECTIVE | 9 | A describing word in grammar, like happy or hungry |
| 40% | LOB | 3 | Hit or throw in a high arc |
| 40% | OUTOFORDER | 10 | Like a nonfunctioning vending machine, or what the circled letters are, in two ways |
| 40% | LOOPHOLE | 8 | A means of escape, like in a law or contract |
| 40% | OTTAVA | 6 | In music, a full interval higher or lower than written |
| 40% | OUTRANK | 7 | Have a higher position than, in the military |
| 40% | OUTRANKS | 8 | Has a higher position than, in the military |
| 40% | TOY | 3 | *Plaything like a Lego set or Barbie that Santa may leave in 35a |
| 40% | TOY | 3 | * Plaything like a Lego set or Barbie that Santa may leave in 35a |
| 39% | SNOOKERED | 9 | Caught in a trap, or in a difficult position |
| 39% | HIRE | 4 | Put in a position, as an editor or manager |