| 100% | ABSENTWITHOUTLEVI | 17 | Like playing hooky when singer Stubbs refuses to? |
| 35% | MINNELLI | 8 | Singer whose version of “New York, New York” used to be played when the Yankees lost |
| 31% | COY | 3 | Like one playing hard to get |
| 30% | RARER | 5 | Like triple plays compared to double plays |
| 30% | SELFDRIVINGCARLY | 16 | Singer Simon, refusing to take a limo? |
| 30% | ABLEIST | 7 | Like refusing to provide certain necessary accommodations |
| 30% | NOTUPFORTHEBAIT | 15 | Like fish refusing to bite? |
| 30% | OTTER | 5 | Swimmer that likes to play |
| 29% | DOGS | 4 | Animals that like to play fetch |
| 29% | GAMBLE | 6 | To bet when playing card games or slot machines |
| 29% | ALLCASH | 7 | Like an offer that’s hard to refuse, maybe |
| 29% | ALLIN | 5 | One way to go when playing poker |
| 29% | RULES | 5 | Laws to follow when playing a game |
| 29% | CATCHUP | 7 | Something to play when you're behind |
| 29% | OTTER | 5 | Animal that likes to play on riverbanks |
| 29% | BYEWEEKS | 8 | When N.F.L. teams don't have to play |
| 28% | POSSUM | 6 | Animal one plays when pretending to be dead |
| 28% | MUDRUNS | 7 | Races for people who like to play dirty? |
| 28% | NET | 3 | "Why do fish refuse to play basketball? Because they're afraid of the ___" |
| 28% | LISA | 4 | When repeated, singer of the 1987 #1 hit "Head to Toe" |
| 28% | DRUMSOLO | 8 | When a musician like Keith Moon gets to shine: 2 wds. |
| 28% | ADELE | 5 | Singer of "Someone Like You" and "Set Fire to the Rain" |
| 28% | REBA | 4 | Singer McEntire who was the first woman to play Colonel Sanders |
| 28% | STAND | 5 | What to do when the national anthem is played |
| 28% | MICE | 4 | Rodents said to play when the cat’s away |
| 28% | TEETIME | 7 | When golfers are scheduled to start playing |
| 27% | RAINY | 5 | Like days when you forget to take an umbrella, all too often? |
| 27% | AGILER | 6 | Like someone who can trip the light fantastic, when compared to me |
| 27% | LEMUR | 5 | "I Like to Move It" singer in "Madagascar," species-wise |
| 27% | IVORIES | 7 | You're said to tickle these when you play piano |