| 100% | CERIA | 5 | Short name for the compound with the formula CeO2, used by glassmaking hobbyists for polishing |
| 35% | NINERS | 6 | San Francisco-based athletes with a team name inspired by the California Gold Rush, for short |
| 31% | GIGI | 4 | It's tied with "Argo" for the shortest name for a Best Picture |
| 31% | BFI | 3 | Short name for the British Film Institute |
| 31% | MGMT | 4 | Rock band with the song "Kids" whose name is short for their original name, "The Management" |
| 30% | ALAR | 4 | Alternate name for the chemical Daminozide, used as a pesticide on fruit until banned by the EPA in 1989 |
| 30% | HUCK | 4 | Short name for the friend of Tom Sawyer |
| 30% | LYE | 3 | Chemical compound with the formula NaOH |
| 30% | AGNUSDEI | 8 | Liturgy that takes its name from a term for Jesus used by John the Baptist |
| 30% | ETHANE | 6 | Natural-gas compound with the formula C2H6 |
| 29% | BPA | 3 | Chemical compound banned in baby bottles by the F.D.A., for short |
| 29% | UKE | 3 | Hawaiian stringed instrument, with a name originating from the Hawaiian language, for short |
| 29% | NYC | 3 | Short-form name for The Big Apple |
| 29% | APP | 3 | A short name for the first course of a meal |
| 29% | SLAW | 4 | Short name for dressed salad made with cabbage |
| 28% | DWAYNE | 6 | With 15-Across, more formal name for The Rock |
| 28% | TERMINATOR | 10 | Shorter name for the Cyberdyne Systems Model 101, apparently still operating after 35 years |
| 28% | PEACH | 5 | Color named for the interior flesh of the fruit used in cobbler |
| 28% | RUGBY | 5 | With 2-Down, official name for the All Blacks' sport |
| 28% | OPS | 3 | Short term for "operations" used in the military |
| 28% | MARYKAY | 7 | Cosmetics company named for a woman with the last name Ash: 2 wds. |
| 27% | STERLING | 8 | Formal name for the pound used in the UK |
| 27% | EURO | 4 | Money named for the continent where it is used |
| 27% | WARSAW | 6 | Polish capital with the Latin name Varsovia |
| 27% | DOC | 3 | The one with a stethoscope, for short |
| 27% | IDS | 3 | Names by name, for short |
| 27% | TIN | 3 | Element with the shortest name |
| 27% | MAY | 3 | Month with the shortest name |
| 27% | MOE | 3 | Stooge with the shortest name |
| 27% | ASIA | 4 | Continent with the shortest name |