| 100% | CHRIST | 6 | His name is represented by the X in the clue for 117 Across |
| 39% | THATSALL | 8 | With 63-Across, "The end" ... or what can be said about the novels in the clues for 25-, 38- and 52-Across |
| 38% | CSONKA | 6 | His #39 was retired by the Miami Dolphins in 2002 |
| 37% | LASTLETTERS | 11 | Explanatory information about this puzzle is revealed by reading these in the clues |
| 37% | ALE | 3 | It may be represented by "XXX" in the funnies |
| 37% | SATAN | 5 | Whom Lil Nas X gives a lap dance, in the music video for “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” |
| 37% | FOOTBRIDGE | 10 | Stream crossing for pedestrians ... and what is literally provided by the interior letters in the answers to starred clues |
| 37% | NOEL | 4 | (2/3) Pere ___ is the name he goes by in France, which is also a word for a carol |
| 37% | MRMOJORISIN | 11 | Phrase used in the song "L.A. Woman," by Jim Morrison which is an anagram of his name: 3 wds. |
| 36% | WHITEHOUSEDOGS | 14 | What the starts of 21-, 26-, 40- and 50-Across are, for the presidents in their clues |
| 36% | SCOOBYDOO | 9 | The name of the Great Dane in the titular animated series, known for being able to speak and his love of eponymous snacks: Hyph. |
| 36% | TEN | 3 | Number represented by the symbol X in Roman numerals |
| 36% | TEN | 3 | Number represented by the letter X in Roman numerals |
| 35% | UNCERTAIN | 9 | City in Harrison County, Texas, that is named so because it was the entry made by residents in the original application for township |
| 35% | AGOUTI | 6 | In the Ivory Coast, the greater cane rat, a farm pest, is known by this name, a name used in South America for another farm pest |
| 35% | ORGAN | 5 | Tommy, lead guitarist in The Jacksons' "Unity Tour" of 2012 and 2013, who would seem to be playing the wrong instrument, judging by his name |
| 34% | RAIN | 4 | Its name in Botswana is the same as the word for "money" |
| 34% | MARINO | 6 | His #13 was retired in 2000 by the Miami Dolphins |
| 34% | LEBRONJAMES | 11 | L.A. Lakers star who was named the NBA Finals MVP for the fourth time in his career in 2020 (2 wds.) |
| 34% | ALIENWARE | 9 | Dell gaming brand whose name was inspired by "The X-Files" |
| 34% | FOOTBALL | 8 | UK name for what is soccer in the US |
| 34% | ARTHUR | 6 | With 39-Across, "The Crucible" playwright who was blacklisted for his leftist views in the Joseph McCarthy period |
| 34% | AMBULANCE | 9 | Vehicle whose sound is imitated by the first three Across entries in this puzzle |
| 34% | MRED | 4 | His given name was spelled with horseshoes in the show's intro |
| 34% | RIIS | 4 | Jacob for whom a park in the Rockaways is named |
| 34% | PITCHFORK | 9 | Music review website, whose name was inspired by the tattoo design on Al Pacino's right arm in "Scarface" |
| 33% | DEUTSCHMARK | 11 | English name for the standard monetary unit of Germany replaced by the Euro in 2002 |
| 33% | BOGGLE | 6 | Flummox ... or a classic word game represented by the central grid of shaded squares, in which 15-, 17- and 55-Across can be found |
| 33% | TET | 3 | Vietnamese New Year, which is represented by the Zodiac animals at the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| 33% | TOOMANYRIVERS | 13 | Song by 17-Across covered by 40-Across that was a hit for Brenda Lee in the 1960s (3 wds.) |