| 100% | HIT | 3 | Success in the game 60-Across ... or a hint to interpreting the circled squares |
| 60% | INONEEARAND | 11 | With 113-Across, heard but disregarded ... or a hint to interpreting the Across answers with circled letters |
| 60% | TNUT | 4 | Hardware fastener ... or a literal hint to the circled squares in this puzzle |
| 59% | TWINKILLING | 11 | Baseball double play, in slang ... or a hint to understanding the 12 Across answers that have circles |
| 58% | CORNERSTORE | 11 | Local convenience ... or a hint to the words in the circled squares |
| 58% | GREETINGCARDS | 13 | Hallmark products … or a hint to what to find in the circled squares |
| 58% | ESCAPEACT | 9 | Houdini’s signature feat … or a hint to the circled squares in this puzzle |
| 57% | HALFTIME | 8 | Game break … or a hint to interpreting the first parts of 17-, 26-, 36-, and 52-Across? |
| 56% | MILKSHAKES | 10 | Diner treats ... or a hint to what's happening to the words in the circled squares in this puzzle? |
| 56% | ISPYWITHMYLITTLEEYE | 19 | Children's game phrase that should start the italicized clues … or a hint to eight squares in this puzzle |
| 55% | BEFOREHAND | 10 | Earlier ... or a hint to the words circled in 17-, 21-, 37- and 51-Across |
| 54% | TUESDAY | 7 | Calendar column ... or a punny hint to the circled squares |
| 54% | ASABOVE | 7 | With 41-Across, philosophical principle in which Earth mirrors heaven … or a hint to the shaded squares |
| 53% | NBA | 3 | With 39-Across, classic sports video game ... or a hint to four squares in this puzzle |
| 53% | HIDDENFIGURES | 13 | 2016 Best Picture nominee ... or a hint to the circled letters in 20-, 25- and 43-Across |
| 53% | SPINTHEBOTTLE | 13 | Classic party game ... or a hint to solving the answers that intersect circles |
| 53% | BIRDIE | 6 | Something needed to play the game depicted in this puzzle ... or a hint to the six circled answers |
| 52% | PIECESOFEIGHT | 13 | Pirate plunder ... or a hint to interpreting an appropriate number of squares in this puzzle |
| 52% | ITSALOTTOUNPACK | 15 | "So many layers here" … or a hint to the circled squares |
| 51% | SWITCHBLADE | 11 | Street weapon ... or a hint to the circled letters in this puzzle |
| 51% | BOXINGDAY | 9 | Present time in England? ... or a hint to each set of circled squares |
| 51% | ROLLTHEDICE | 11 | Take a chance ... or a hint to the letters in the shaded squares |
| 51% | ARTFORMS | 8 | Various creative mediums ... or a hint to variations found in the shaded squares |
| 51% | COVERTOPERATION | 15 | Secret military mission ... or a hint to the circled letters in this puzzle? |
| 51% | TEALEAVES | 9 | Divination aids … or a phonetic hint to the shaded squares in this puzzle |
| 51% | ONETWOTHREEKICK | 15 | Classic Xavier Cugat song ... or a hint to the invitation in the circled letters |
| 51% | MANSPREADS | 10 | Crowds one's seatmates, in a way ... or a hint to the circled letters |
| 50% | DIVIDEDBY | 9 | ÷ ... or a literal hint to interpreting eight squares in this puzzle |
| 50% | HIDDENGEM | 9 | Masterpiece waiting to be found ... or a hint to the words in the circled letters |
| 50% | FOOLAROUND | 10 | Engage in some horseplay ... or a hint to the words spelled out in the circles |