| 100% | ODDSANDENDS | 11 | Miscellany ... or a description of the final words in 15-, 23-, 30-, 38- and 43-Across |
| 44% | GOCOASTTOCOAST | 14 | Travel cross-country … or a description of what 16-, 23- and 43-Across do? |
| 43% | 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 |
| 43% | SODAMIXER | 9 | Ingredient in some cocktails ... or a hint to the last words in 17-, 23-, 32-, 43- and 48-Across |
| 41% | BLACK | 5 | With 41- and 43-Across, cop cruiser ... or a description of the five animals named in this puzzle |
| 40% | DEADENDS | 8 | Unfruitful paths ... or a description of both words in the answers to the seven starred clues? |
| 40% | COLDOPEN | 8 | Certain TV intro ... or a description of each of 12 letters in the grid (the starts of six Across entries and then six Down entries) that spell out an alternate title for this puzzle |
| 40% | CARBONOFFSET | 12 | Purported counterbalance for greenhouse-gas emissions . . . or a description of the wordplay in 18-, 27-, 39-, and 51-Across |
| 39% | USOPENS | 7 | Annual tournaments ... or a description of the starts of 16-, 20-, 37-, 53- and 60-Across? |
| 39% | SECURITY | 8 | Mall cop's job ... or a word that can precede the starts of 19-, 32-, 43- and 58-Across |
| 38% | CONNECTFOUR | 11 | Game involving dropping discs ... or a description of 17-, 30-, 37-, and 45-Across? |
| 37% | GHOST | 5 | Word game ... or a word that can precede the starts of 18-, 26-, 43- and 54-Across |
| 37% | ITMEANSALOT | 11 | “That’s so nice of you” . . . and a literal description of the last word in 17-, 21-, 39-, or 57-Across |
| 37% | MONEYMONEYMONEY | 15 | 1976 Abba song ... or a hint to the starts of 17-, 23-, 38- and 50-Across |
| 37% | RENTACARS | 9 | Some vacation expenses ... or a hint to the starts of 17-, 23-, 38- and 54-Across |
| 37% | SAUSAGELINK | 11 | Breakfast side order ... or a hint to the last words of 18-, 23-, 34- and 49-Across |
| 37% | POSTITNOTES | 11 | Sticky yellow squares ... or a description of the circled letters and what they follow? |
| 37% | ONEUNDERPAR | 11 | Golf score, or a description of the 18 hidden 65-Down in this puzzle |
| 36% | BONEYM | 6 | "Rasputin" band... or a description of 6 and 14 Across? |
| 36% | PRMEN | 5 | Promoters ... or a description of 17-, 23-, 46- and 57-Across? |
| 36% | HOLDIT | 6 | "Stop right there!" … or a hint to the first words of 17-, 23-, 47- and 59-Across |
| 36% | COLDPLUNGE | 10 | Post-workout water therapy option, or a description of the ends of 1-, 4-, and 7-Down |
| 35% | TSTORMS | 7 | Weather events with lightning, briefly ... or a description of 1 and 13 Across |
| 35% | PICKUP | 6 | Learn ... or a word that can precede the ends of 20-, 29-, 44- and 53-Across |
| 35% | BEARWITHME | 10 | "Please be patient" … or a literal description of 15-, 28-, 39- and 52-Across? |
| 35% | TAKEBYSTORM | 11 | Rapidly achieve success in, and a description of the juxtaposed circled words at the top of the puzzle |
| 35% | CLOCKWORK | 9 | Epitome of precision … or a description of 20-, 34- and 43-Across? |
| 34% | DIR | 3 | Any of the four words hidden in 17-, 26-, 43- and 56-Across: Abbr. |
| 34% | SWINGSET | 8 | Playground equipment ... or a description of the first words of the starred clues? |
| 34% | SEEMEAFTERCLASS | 15 | Ominous request from a teacher ... or a hint to the first words (and following letters!) of 17-, 26- and 43-Across |