| 100% | BAD | 3 | Like a habit that needs to be broken |
| 69% | INCODE | 6 | Like a message that needs to be cracked |
| 68% | DUSTY | 5 | Like a shelf that needs to be wiped clean |
| 68% | MUSTY | 5 | Like a basement that needs to be aired out |
| 67% | THICK | 5 | Like a milkshake that needs to be eaten with a spoon |
| 60% | TIED | 4 | Like scores that need to be "broken" |
| 55% | GASSY | 5 | Like a baby who needs to be burped |
| 55% | EERIE | 5 | Like a portrait that seems to be watching you |
| 55% | DUE | 3 | Needing to be paid, like a bill |
| 54% | OIL | 3 | Liquid that needs to be changed regularly in a car |
| 54% | REPEOPLED | 9 | Like a town that used to be a ghost town |
| 53% | COLD | 4 | Like dinner that needs to be reheated |
| 52% | CASSEROLEDISH | 13 | Part of a gift that needs to be returned |
| 52% | CHIMNEY | 7 | Part of a fireplace that needs to be swept |
| 52% | CHEWABLE | 8 | Doesn't need to be swallowed whole, like a tablet |
| 51% | MARIA | 5 | She's a problem that needs to be solved, in song |
| 51% | RIPE | 4 | Like a fruit that's good to be had |
| 51% | RIPE | 4 | Like a fruit that's ready to be eaten |
| 51% | RIPE | 4 | Like a fruit that's ready to be picked |
| 51% | RIPE | 4 | Like a fruit that's ready to be plucked |
| 50% | IDLE | 4 | Like a threat that's never going to be carried out |
| 49% | ICY | 3 | Like a road that might need to have salt poured on it |
| 49% | THELONG | 7 | With 63-Across, all that needs to be said, or a hint to what's found in each starred answer |
| 48% | INOT | 4 | Like a hockey game that needs an extra period to determine a winner: 2 wds. |
| 47% | LOOSE | 5 | Like ends that may need to be tied up |
| 47% | RESPITE | 7 | Providing relief to those in need of a break |
| 47% | CODE | 4 | It needs to be broken |
| 47% | ORAL | 4 | Like a contract that's said to be "not worth the paper it's written on" |
| 47% | INACAST | 7 | Like an arm with a fracture that needs to heal: 3 wds. |
| 47% | LACEUP | 6 | Shoe that needs to be tied |