| 100% | SIMILES | 7 | Phrases with "as a" in the middle |
| 71% | RARE | 4 | Red in the middle, as a steak |
| 71% | SAG | 3 | Droop in the middle, as a couch |
| 71% | SAG | 3 | Sink in the middle, as a mattress |
| 66% | DONUT | 5 | Food with a hole in the middle |
| 66% | LIFESAVER | 9 | Candy with a hole in the middle |
| 66% | BAGEL | 5 | Roll with a hole in the middle |
| 66% | CHINESECHECKERS | 15 | Game with a star in the middle |
| 66% | BUNDTCAKE | 9 | Confection with a hole in the middle |
| 66% | BUNDT | 5 | Cake with a hole in the middle |
| 65% | BUTTERFLIES | 11 | "___ in the stomach," phrase for nervousness with a "fluttery" insect in it |
| 63% | FOX | 3 | "___ in the henhouse," phrase for an untrustworthy person with a "sly" animal in it |
| 63% | SNAKE | 5 | "___ in the grass," phrase for an unfaithful friend with a hissing reptile in it |
| 63% | COG | 3 | ___ in the machine, phrase associated with machines that means "small part of a large organization" |
| 62% | FRANKIEMUNIZ | 12 | "Malcolm in the Middle" actor who was a finalist on season 25 of "Dancing with the Stars" (2 wds.) |
| 62% | CHEEZIT | 7 | Cracker with a hole in the middle (Hyph.) |
| 60% | DOUGHNUT | 8 | Round pastry with a hole in the middle |
| 60% | BEAD | 4 | Small ball with a hole in the middle |
| 60% | ANTHILL | 7 | Small mound with a hole in the middle |
| 60% | DONUT | 5 | Breakfast pastry with a hole in the middle |
| 60% | IRIS | 4 | Eye part with a pupil in the middle |
| 60% | AMID | 4 | In the middle of a crowd |
| 60% | REDHANDED | 9 | In the middle of a crime |
| 60% | ONAROLL | 7 | In the middle of a hot streak |
| 59% | OWL | 3 | "As wise as an ___," phrase for a wise person with a nocturnal bird in it |
| 59% | SCHERZO | 7 | Brisk lively movement in music developed from the minuet, with a contrastive middle section |
| 59% | AMID | 4 | In the middle of a crowd, for example |
| 59% | RARE | 4 | Red in the middle, as steak |
| 59% | RARER | 5 | Redder in the middle, as steak |
| 58% | ANDSCENE | 8 | Director's cry with a pause in the middle |