| 100% | QUALIFIED | 9 | Someone with the right training is this |
| 49% | SOUTHSEVENSTEPS | 15 | "Aye, the treasure be heavy, so flex yer biceps! With this third clue, turn right and go ___" |
| 48% | SNOW | 4 | * You know Christmas is right around the corner when the streets are covered with this "cold, white blanket" |
| 47% | LIGHTS | 6 | * You know Christmas is right around the corner when the houses are decorated with hundreds of these "illuminating bulbs" |
| 46% | LAMP | 4 | Florence Nightingale was the lady with this |
| 43% | MINI | 4 | This one was made with "I" as the only vowel |
| 43% | ZOMBIES | 7 | The Walking Dead is overrun with these creatures |
| 42% | JUMBOJET | 8 | The Boeing 747 was the first with this nickname |
| 42% | HIP | 3 | Down with what the kids are into these days |
| 42% | NOWOMANNOCRY | 12 | Bob Marley tune with the line "Everything's gonna be all right": 4 wds. |
| 42% | KIDS | 4 | With 70- and 71-Across, what the middle of this puzzle is |
| 42% | TRADE | 5 | With 38-Across, what the four key parts of this puzzle are |
| 42% | DOLLAR | 6 | With 88 Across, where the theme goods can be bought these days |
| 42% | MOP | 3 | You should be able to wipe the floor with this |
| 42% | PHD | 3 | Woodrow Wilson was the only president with this degree: Abbr. |
| 42% | THEHILLS | 8 | These are alive with the sound of music |
| 41% | FASTCAR | 7 | Tracy Chapman hit with the line "I had a feeling I could be someone" (1988) |
| 41% | AHERO | 5 | "__ is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom": Dylan |
| 41% | RIOTACT | 7 | You'll be read this if someone is angry with you |
| 41% | DNA | 3 | Kendrick Lamar hit with the lyric “I was born like this” |
| 41% | ARMS | 4 | The goddess Kali is often depicted with four of these limbs |
| 41% | CACTI | 5 | You might be stuck with these when traveling in the Southwest |
| 41% | SELLERS | 7 | Actor with the line "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!" |
| 41% | JULES | 5 | With 141-Down, author whose work is the basis of this puzzle's theme |
| 40% | CUSTOMER | 8 | In the retail mantra, this person is always right |
| 40% | IMONABOAT | 9 | 2009 Grammy nominee with the lyric "But this ain't SeaWorld, this is real as it gets" |
| 40% | SIA | 3 | Singer with the 2016 album "This Is Acting" |
| 40% | SIA | 3 | Singer with the upcoming album "This Is Acting" |
| 40% | POKEMONTHEME | 12 | Song with the lyrics "To catch them is my real test / to train them is my cause" |
| 40% | NIGHTFEVER | 10 | 1978 #1 hit with the lyrics "Here I am, praying for this moment to last": 2 wds. |