| 100% | CLUE | 4 | Hint for a crossword answer |
| 75% | CLUE | 4 | Hint to a crossword answer |
| 75% | CLUE | 4 | Hint for a crossword solver |
| 59% | THREE | 5 | Shortest allowable number of letters for a New York Times crossword answer |
| 57% | RIGHTLYSO | 9 | For good reason, and a hint to five answers in this puzzle |
| 57% | SCENT | 5 | Hint for a hound |
| 57% | CLUE | 4 | Hint for a detective |
| 56% | BACKTOSQUAREONE | 15 | Where you go for a fresh start ... or a hint for four answers in this puzzle |
| 56% | CLUE | 4 | Hint for a detective, say |
| 56% | CLUE | 4 | Hint for a puzzle solver |
| 55% | SIDEHUSTLE | 10 | Freelance for extra income ... and a hint to the answers to starred clues |
| 55% | BANDE | 5 | Burglary, for short ... and a hint to this puzzle's four longest answers |
| 54% | SOLVE | 5 | Find answers for, as a crossword |
| 54% | GRID | 4 | Pattern for a crossword puzzle |
| 54% | CLUEING | 7 | Task for a crossword constructor |
| 54% | HIYOSOLVER | 10 | Name for a crossword store? |
| 54% | CLUED | 5 | Wrote entries for a crossword |
| 54% | FLIESSOUTH | 10 | Migrates for the winter, and a hint to the shift in the starred answers |
| 54% | DISAPPEARINGINK | 15 | Medium for secret messages, and a hint to making sense of 12 Down answers |
| 53% | EKE | 3 | Scratch (out), as a crossword answer? |
| 53% | WRITES | 6 | Fills in a crossword answer, maybe |
| 53% | HINT | 4 | Help for a crossword solver, say |
| 53% | ROGETS | 6 | Handy reference for a crossword constructor |
| 53% | INK | 3 | ___ saver (printing option for a crossword) |
| 53% | DEARJOHNLETTERS | 15 | Things used for dumping ... or a literal hint to the answers to the starred clues? |
| 53% | CLUES | 5 | Hints on a crossword |
| 52% | NERD | 4 | Word ___ (rhyming nickname for a crossword lover) |
| 52% | SEVENCS | 7 | Punny title for this puzzle that's a hint to the answers to the starred clues |
| 52% | PANDG | 5 | Consumer products giant, for short ... or a hint to the answers to the eight starred clues |
| 52% | QUIETCAR | 8 | Place for Amtrak passengers to unwind ... and a hint to how to interpret eight puzzle answers |