| 100% | SLOWBURN | 8 | Prelude to an explosion, perhaps |
| 58% | POWERDIVE | 9 | Prelude to an airplane bombing |
| 56% | MINESTRONE | 10 | Prelude to pasta, perhaps |
| 56% | DETENTE | 7 | Prelude to peace, perhaps |
| 56% | UNREST | 6 | Prelude to riots, perhaps |
| 55% | SCANDAL | 7 | Prelude to a resignation, perhaps |
| 55% | ANTE | 4 | Prelude to a deal, perhaps |
| 53% | DEMANDSARECOUNT | 15 | Reacts to an upset, perhaps |
| 53% | LOFT | 4 | Home to an artist, perhaps |
| 53% | SLAP | 4 | Response to an insult, perhaps |
| 53% | WINCE | 5 | React to an injection, perhaps |
| 53% | WONTONSOUP | 10 | Alternative to an eggroll, perhaps |
| 53% | RIOT | 4 | React to an injustice, perhaps |
| 53% | CRY | 3 | React to an onion, perhaps |
| 53% | AWOKE | 5 | Responded to an alarm, perhaps |
| 51% | ALUM | 4 | Visitor to an old prof, perhaps |
| 51% | SLAP | 4 | Reaction to an offensive line, perhaps |
| 51% | CRINGING | 8 | Reacting to an awkward moment, perhaps |
| 51% | OPTSIN | 6 | Subscribes to an email newsletter, perhaps |
| 51% | TOWS | 4 | Hauls to an impound lot, perhaps |
| 51% | TOW | 3 | Haul to an impound lot, perhaps |
| 51% | SUM | 3 | Solution to an arithmetic problem, perhaps |
| 51% | PERK | 4 | Access to an expense account, perhaps |
| 51% | NAP | 3 | Alternative to an energy drink, perhaps |
| 50% | PENTUPANGER | 11 | What may lead to an emotional explosion |
| 50% | DISS | 4 | Precursor to an academic monograph, perhaps: Abbr. |
| 49% | DELAYPEDAL | 10 | *Guitar accessory next to an auto-wah, perhaps |
| 49% | ERUPTS | 6 | Reacts to an umpire's terrible call, perhaps |
| 49% | TRIPSTHEBREAKER | 15 | Is subject to an overload, perhaps |
| 49% | CITYBUS | 7 | Public alternative to an Uber, perhaps |