| 100% | SANDS | 5 | Smooths the surface of, as a plank |
| 71% | SANDS | 5 | Smooths the surface of, as wood |
| 67% | SEAR | 4 | Brown the surface of, as a steak |
| 67% | SEAR | 4 | Blacken the surface of, as a sirloin |
| 67% | MAR | 3 | Damage the surface of, as a car |
| 66% | SEARS | 5 | Chars the surface of, as a tuna steak |
| 64% | SEAR | 4 | Brown the surface of, as scallops or a steak |
| 61% | SANDS | 5 | Smooths the rough edges from, as a piece of wood |
| 60% | ADSORBS | 7 | Gathers on the surface, as a layer of molecules |
| 59% | TEXTURE | 7 | The feel of a surface, bumpy or smooth |
| 58% | DEPTH | 5 | Distance below the surface, as of a swimming pool |
| 52% | SEAR | 4 | Char the surface of, as steak on the grill |
| 52% | RHUMB | 5 | Curve on the surface of a sphere |
| 52% | CAMBER | 6 | Curvature on the surface of a road |
| 52% | SCUM | 4 | Film on the surface of a liquid |
| 52% | MAR | 3 | Damage the surface of a car, say |
| 52% | MAR | 3 | Scratch the surface of a car, say |
| 52% | DENTS | 5 | Flaws on the surface of a can |
| 52% | SANDS | 5 | Smooths, as a plank |
| 52% | TOPPER | 6 | Decoration placed on the surface of a cake |
| 52% | SCUM | 4 | Gunky stuff on the surface of a pond |
| 51% | SCARIFIER | 9 | Spiked tool breaks up the surface of a lawn |
| 51% | SCUM | 4 | Unwanted frothy layer on the surface of a liquid |
| 50% | LILYPAD | 7 | Plant floating on the surface of a pond: 2 wds. |
| 50% | AREA | 4 | Sphere ... or 4πr^2, for the surface of a sphere |
| 49% | RIVERBED | 8 | The surface at the bottom of a stream etc |
| 49% | OMEN | 4 | Event seen as a prediction of the future |
| 49% | EDITIN | 6 | Introduce as a part of the movie, say |
| 48% | MINISTERIAL | 11 | Serving as a diplomat below the rank of ambassador |
| 48% | REALISM | 7 | The practice of accepting a situation as it is |