| 100% | TIGERMOM | 8 | Term for a strict parent coined by writer Amy Chua (2 wds.) |
| 39% | ONICE | 5 | "Miracle ___" (term for a 1980 Olympic hockey victory by the USA): 2 wds. |
| 39% | TIGERMOTHER | 11 | Parenting term popularized by Amy Chua in a 2011 nonfiction best seller |
| 38% | DONUTHOLE | 9 | Generic term for a Dunkin' Munchkin: 2 wds. |
| 38% | NERD | 4 | Term for a bookish person that was coined by Dr. Seuss |
| 38% | BIGDOG | 6 | Canine slang term for a powerful person: 2 wds. |
| 38% | FATCAT | 6 | Rhyming term for a rich, influential person: 2 wds. |
| 38% | RUGRAT | 6 | Slang term for a very young child: 2 wds. |
| 35% | CATLADY | 7 | Slang term for a woman who owns lots of felines: 2 wds. |
| 35% | SMIZE | 5 | Term coined by Tyra Banks for a happy facial expression |
| 35% | JOEYFATONE | 10 | Former 'N Sync singer whose first name is also the term for a baby kangaroo: 2 wds. |
| 35% | KITHARINGTON | 12 | "Game of Thrones" actor whose first name is also the term for a baby fox: 2 wds. |
| 34% | CHICKCOREA | 10 | 23-time Grammy-winning jazz pianist whose first name is also the term for a baby bird: 2 wds. |
| 34% | STOPIN | 6 | Drop by for a short visit: 2 wds. |
| 33% | SHOOTINGSTAR | 12 | Slang term for a streak during a 14-Across (2 wds.) |
| 33% | IDIOTBOX | 8 | Colloquial term for the Television... or a hint to solve 16a, 22a, 4d, and 36d: 2 wds. |
| 32% | NOMDE | 5 | ___ plume (pen name for a writer): 2 wds. |
| 31% | PANTSROLE | 9 | Term for a male opera character played by a woman |
| 30% | LATENIGHT | 9 | 2019 movie written by Mindy Kaling, who plays a writer for a TV host: 2 wds. |
| 30% | ONHAND | 6 | Available for a purpose: 2 wds. |
| 30% | ATBAT | 5 | Ready for a pitch: 2 wds. |
| 30% | HERGRACE | 8 | Title for a duchess: 2 wds. |
| 30% | BEERTAP | 7 | Faucet for a keg: 2 wds. |
| 30% | IDOS | 4 | Vows for a couple: 2 wds. |
| 30% | SWIMMINGTRUNKS | 14 | Bottoms for a pool: 2 wds. |
| 30% | CATFOOD | 7 | Nourishment for a tabby: 2 wds. |
| 30% | BEACHREAD | 9 | Book for a vacation: 2 wds. |
| 30% | PDA | 3 | Term for a handheld computer that has largely been replaced by "smartphone": Abbr. |
| 30% | OPENHOUSE | 9 | Event for potential home buyers hosted by a Realtor: 2 wds. |
| 30% | STRAWBOSS | 9 | Term for “assistant foreman” supposedly coined by farm workers |