| 100% | NARTHEX | 7 | Portico at the west end of a basilica or church, especially one at right angles to the nave |
| 42% | ABEAM | 5 | At right angles to the length of a ship |
| 41% | APSE | 4 | Domed or vaulted recess at the east end of a church |
| 38% | SURRENDER | 9 | To give in, especially at the end of a battle |
| 38% | FINISHLINE | 10 | End of a race … or a hint to the conversation closers at 18-, 26- and 42-Across |
| 37% | SALTSHAKER | 10 | One of a pair at the dinner table ... or a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| 36% | VERTICAL | 8 | A line that is at right angles to the horizon |
| 36% | SOFTIE | 6 | One who's liable to cry at the end of a romantic comedy, e.g. |
| 36% | LATEBLOOMER | 11 | One who catches up eventually ... or a hint to the ends of 17-, 30- and 46-Across |
| 36% | INFANTE | 7 | Son of a king of Spain or Portugal, especially one not heir to the throne |
| 35% | ROOD | 4 | Crucifix set on a beam or screen at the entrance to the chancel of a church |
| 35% | SWAT | 4 | End of a fly? ... or the start of one? |
| 34% | CROSSWIND | 9 | It blows at right angles to a line of travel |
| 34% | MOCKTAIL | 8 | Nonalcoholic mixed drink … or a hint to the synonyms found at the ends of 16-, 24-, 37- and 51-Across |
| 34% | APSE | 4 | Area at one end of a church |
| 33% | PIN | 3 | One standing at the end of a lane |
| 33% | HELPLINE | 8 | A counselor may be at the end of one |
| 33% | ARMREST | 7 | At the end of a sofa, to lean on |
| 32% | PIN | 3 | One of ten at the end of a bowling lane |
| 32% | PIN | 3 | One often left standing at the end of a lane |
| 32% | ABEAM | 5 | At right angles to the keel |
| 32% | REREDOS | 7 | Screen or wall decoration at the back of an altar in a church |
| 32% | TUNNEL | 6 | *Light at the end of the ___, a sign of better days to come |
| 32% | PIN | 3 | One of 10 items at the end of a bowling lane |
| 32% | DIVA | 4 | One who might receive roses at the end of a performance |
| 32% | THE | 3 | "___ End," a message at the end of movies or cartoons |
| 32% | ROOD | 4 | Crucifix, like one at the entrance of a church |
| 32% | POSTLUDE | 8 | Musical piece at the end of a church service |
| 32% | RANK | 4 | Position one gets at the end of a competition |
| 32% | BEDPOST | 7 | Support at the end of a headboard or footboard |