| 100% | STAGEMOM | 8 | Parent who hangs out in the wings of a theater, perhaps: 2 wds. |
| 50% | CUER | 4 | One who might work in the wings of a theater |
| 46% | ELTONJOHN | 9 | "Candle in the Wind" singer who said of his upcoming farewell tour, "It's a way of going out with a bang": 2 wds. |
| 44% | STAGEMOMS | 9 | Parents hanging out in the wings |
| 43% | SMOKEYROBINSON | 14 | "The Tears of a Clown" singer who received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015: 2 wds. |
| 42% | LISASIMPSON | 11 | Animated girl who was in the finals of a crossword puzzle tournament: 2 wds. |
| 41% | GEORGEFOREMAN | 13 | "Rumble in the Jungle" boxer who came out of retirement in 1987 and later won the heavyweight title: 2 wds. |
| 41% | HOLLANDTAYLOR | 13 | "Two and a Half Men" actress who came out of the closet in 2015 at age 72: 2 wds. |
| 40% | ASA | 3 | Words in the middle of a simile: 2 wds. |
| 40% | COLINFARRELL | 12 | Best Actor Oscar nominee for his portrayal of a man who is suddenly cut out of the life of his best friend in the 2022 film "The Banshees of Inisherin" (2 wds.) |
| 40% | DOLORESHUERTA | 13 | Civil rights leader, played by Rosario Dawson in the 18-Across biopic, who received a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012: 2 wds. |
| 40% | ALA | 3 | In the style of, on a menu: 2 wds. |
| 40% | ALA | 3 | In the manner of, on a menu: 2 wds. |
| 39% | DICKSARGENT | 11 | "Bewitched" actor who came out of the closet in 1991 at age 61: 2 wds. |
| 39% | MICHAELPHELPS | 13 | US swimmer who came out of retirement in 2014 to swim at the Rio Olympics: 2 wds. |
| 39% | JAMESFRANCO | 11 | "The Interview" star who was the subject of a Comedy Central Roast in 2013: 2 wds. |
| 39% | DONALDTRUMP | 11 | "The Apprentice" host who was the subject of a Comedy Central Roast in 2011: 2 wds. |
| 39% | ROSEANNEBARR | 12 | 1990s sitcom star who was the subject of a Comedy Central Roast in 2012: 2 wds. |
| 38% | FRANKIEMUNIZ | 12 | "Malcolm in the Middle" actor who was a finalist on season 25 of "Dancing with the Stars" (2 wds.) |
| 38% | BENMENDELSOHN | 13 | Actor who plays the character of Talos, a shape shifting Skrull leader in "Captain Marvel": 2 wds. |
| 38% | GEORGETAKEI | 11 | "Star Trek" actor who came out of the closet in 2005 at age 68: 2 wds. |
| 37% | BRIELARSON | 10 | Actress who plays the character of Carol Danvers, a former U.S. Air Force pilot in "Captain Marvel": 2 wds. |
| 37% | PINIONS | 7 | The wings of a bird, in poetry |
| 37% | CHRISPRATT | 10 | "Guardians of the Galaxy" actor who once lived in a van: 2 wds. |
| 37% | LAYSOVER | 8 | Stops for a while in the course of a journey: 2 wds. |
| 37% | AMYPOEHLER | 10 | Actress who played the role of Leslie Knope in "Parks and Recreation", a role she is best-known for: 2 wds. |
| 37% | CLARKGREGG | 10 | Actor who plays the character of Phil Coulson, a S.H.I.E.L.D agent in "Captain Marvel": 2 wds. |
| 37% | KIRSTENDUNST | 12 | "The Power of the Dog" actress who plays a journalist in the new movie "Civil War": 2 wds. |
| 37% | GORDIEHOWE | 10 | Hall-of-Fame Red Wings right wing who played in the NHL while a grandfather: 2 wds. |
| 37% | JOHNNYDEPP | 10 | "Black Mass" actor who plays a pirate in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films: 2 wds. |