| 100% | OBOE | 4 | Its "reeds are a pain / And the fingering's insane," per Ogden Nash |
| 72% | OBOE | 4 | Instrument Ogden Nash referred to when he said, "... reeds are a pain / And the fingering's insane" |
| 37% | DEATH | 5 | Its stroke is "as a lover's pinch, which hurts, and is desired," per Cleopatra |
| 35% | THUMB | 5 | "There are four fingers and a ___ on the hand" |
| 35% | LEADINGQUESTION | 15 | It's designed to elicit a certain answer ... or where the end of 17-, 25- and 47-Across may be found |
| 34% | POSY | 4 | Ogden Nash's ''Bed Riddance: A __ for the Indisposed'' |
| 34% | ARROW | 5 | 3, 2, 1... And off it goes! Archer's pointed weapon from a bow that is launched into the air |
| 33% | ANNOY | 5 | Be a pain in the neck |
| 33% | OAS | 3 | The U.S. and Can. are in it |
| 32% | TODAY | 5 | "___ is a gift, that's why it is called the present" (saying) |
| 32% | PRESENT | 7 | “Today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the ___” |
| 32% | PRESENT | 7 | "Today is a gift. That's why we call it the __" |
| 32% | ISLAM | 5 | Its symbol is a crescent and star |
| 32% | ISLAM | 5 | Its symbol is a star and crescent |
| 32% | LIFE | 4 | (7/7) "The holiday is a celebration of ___ and of the bonds that enrich it." |
| 32% | HAVANA | 6 | It's the Cuban capital and a Camila Cabello song |
| 32% | VOTINGAGE | 9 | A person's majority, it is 18 in the UK |
| 31% | HALL | 4 | It's between the Study and Lounge on a Clue board |
| 31% | HALL | 4 | It's between the Lounge and Study on a Clue board |
| 31% | STARBUCKS | 9 | Coffeehouse chain where the customers' names are written on each cup, and features a siren in its logo |
| 31% | CHILLEDWITHFEAR | 15 | "... and when I hand-deliver a package, the recipients are positively ___ - it's very satisfying!" |
| 31% | RESEARCH | 8 | Per Zora Neale Hurston, it’s “poking and prying with a purpose” |
| 31% | IHOP | 4 | Popular breakfast chain in the USA that is known for flapjacks and has a smile on its logo: Abbr. |
| 31% | STONE | 5 | 3, 2, 1... And off it goes! Small "rocky" missile from a slingshot that is launched into the air |
| 31% | AXEL | 4 | It may be a double in the Olympics |
| 31% | LINERNOTE | 9 | It may be a credit to the band |
| 31% | COURSELOAD | 10 | It can be a strain on the pupils |
| 31% | ONEACRE | 7 | It may be a lot outside the city |
| 30% | WHEW | 4 | Word that corresponds to the emoji with a grinning face, beads of sweat and seems to be wiping its brow |
| 30% | MAINE | 5 | Its flag features a pine and the North Star |