| 100% | TWOSTEPSFORWARD | 15 | With 57-Across, metaphor for nonlinear progress depicted by the circled letters |
| 49% | FINGERS | 7 | With 57-Across, gesture depicted by this puzzle's circled letters |
| 46% | OFFONALARK | 10 | What's depicted by the circled letters in 41-/49-Across |
| 44% | BANANA | 6 | Fruit depicted by the circled letters |
| 44% | ROUNDOFAPPLAUSE | 15 | Hand, as depicted by the circled letters |
| 44% | SALADBOWL | 9 | Common kitchen item depicted by the circled letters |
| 43% | BLOOM | 5 | Sign of spring, as depicted by the circled letters |
| 40% | SOLARECLIPSE | 12 | Astronomical phenomenon depicted by the puzzle's circled letters |
| 38% | CUT | 3 | With the circled letters, a hint to solving seven Across clues |
| 37% | ARTISTS | 7 | With 57-Across, creative getaway, and a hint to the circled letters |
| 36% | SLICED | 6 | With 57-Across, deli offering ... or a hint to the circled letters |
| 36% | WHIRLYBIRDS | 11 | Nickname for 17-Across (as depicted by the six circled animals?) |
| 36% | SLIPPERY | 8 | With 68-Across, precarious situations, as suggested by the circled letters |
| 36% | SPREADTHEWEALTH | 15 | Be generous with one's good fortune, as depicted by the movement of this puzzle's circled letters |
| 35% | SINE | 4 | Function represented by the circled letters |
| 35% | SHIFTINGSANDS | 13 | Metaphor for constant, unpredictable change, or the pattern made by this puzzle's circles |
| 35% | REVERSE | 7 | Certain auto gear ... as suggested by the circled letters |
| 35% | WORMHOLES | 9 | Theoretical paths depicted by the circled squares |
| 35% | GOLDNUGGETS | 11 | Valuable finds suggested by the circled letters |
| 35% | STORE | 5 | Corner ___ (phrase suggested by the circled letters) |
| 35% | TRIMMINGTHETREE | 15 | Yuletide undertaking, exemplified by the circled letters |
| 34% | GINGERBREAD | 11 | With 100-Across, image revealed by connecting the circled letters alphabetically |
| 34% | PINOCCHIO | 9 | Disney character hinted at by the circled letters |
| 34% | EYE | 3 | Either of the circled letters in 4-Across, for this puzzle's face |
| 34% | MONKEY | 6 | With the circled letters and 46-Across, playground keep-away game |
| 34% | FILECOMPRESSION | 15 | Aid in saving disk space, as displayed by the circled letters |
| 34% | GUITAR | 6 | Instrument depicted by the circled squares in this grid |
| 34% | HIDEANDSEEK | 11 | Children's game hinted at by the circled letters |
| 34% | SUBWAYDOORS | 11 | They slide shut, as pictured by the circled letters |
| 34% | EXERCISEROUTINE | 15 | Workout suggested by the circled letters and their orientation |