| 100% | CROMULENT | 9 | Synonym for “acceptable” first used on “The Simpsons” (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2023) |
| 52% | CAPE | 4 | Vigorously defend, with “for” (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2023) |
| 50% | RIZZ | 4 | Romantic appeal or flirting skill (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2023) |
| 50% | SMISHING | 8 | Tricking people into disclosing confidential information via text (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2023) |
| 50% | BEASTMODE | 9 | Animalistic persona that one might adopt when competing (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2023) |
| 49% | CRATEDIG | 8 | Shop for rare recordings in secondhand stores (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2023) |
| 48% | EDGELORD | 8 | Person who delights in trolling or making deliberately provocative comments (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2023) |
| 48% | QUIETQUIT | 9 | Do as little work at one’s job as possible (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2023) |
| 46% | SHRINKFLATION | 13 | The practice of selling less product for the same price (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2022) |
| 44% | COLDOPEN | 8 | Scene that precedes a title sequence (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2023) |
| 43% | METAVERSE | 9 | Virtual environment that accommodates multiple realities (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2022) |
| 42% | SILVERFOX | 9 | Attractive older man who’s gone gray (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2021) |
| 42% | SAPIOSEXUAL | 11 | One who’s attracted to highly intelligent people (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2021) |
| 42% | GREENWASH | 9 | Mask environmentally harmful practices with misleading P.R. (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2022) |
| 40% | UTA | 3 | First name on the cover of A Challenge for the Actor |
| 39% | MEMESTOCK | 9 | Market offering that surges because of social-media buzz (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2023) |
| 39% | GIGWORKER | 9 | Person who takes temporary jobs in the service sector (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2021) |
| 39% | WGA | 3 | Org. that went on strike over what its leaders called “existential issues,” including residuals and the use of generative A.I. (May-September, 2023) |
| 37% | TERRAFORM | 9 | Make inhabitable, as a planet (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2022) |
| 37% | ACTS | 4 | First book of the New Testament that isn't named for a person |
| 37% | TEE | 3 | It's used for the first stroke of a golf hole |
| 37% | MILKMUSTACHE | 12 | Feature seen on the faces of Beyoncé, Batman, and Bart Simpson, in a famous ad campaign |
| 37% | SECONDGENTLEMAN | 15 | Husband of a Vice-President (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2021) |
| 37% | DAY | 3 | First ___ of school, new chapter with school bells and classroom adventures for a child |
| 37% | BREAKIN | 7 | On a new Tesla, this period is still needed for the tires and gearbox |
| 36% | REACTIONGIF | 11 | Animated image texted as a reply (and a new Merriam-Webster entry of 2021) |
| 36% | BLIGHTY | 7 | Term for England used by soldiers of the First and Second World Wars |
| 36% | LARD | 4 | Fat from the abdomen of a pig rendered and clarified for use in cooking |
| 36% | OPENFORBUSINESS | 15 | Sign outside a new store, or what the first words of 18-, 24-, 52-, and 59-Across can do? |
| 36% | GIGECONOMY | 10 | Industry sector for “Taskers” and “Turkers” (new Merriam-Webster entry of 2019) |