| 100% | SLIPPERY | 8 | With 68-Across, precarious situations, as suggested by the circled letters |
| 60% | REVERSE | 7 | Certain auto gear ... as suggested by the circled letters |
| 58% | CROSS | 5 | With 36-Down, intersection ... as suggested by the circled letters in the middle of this puzzle? |
| 52% | GROWABEARD | 10 | Do the opposite of shave ... as suggested by the circled letters |
| 51% | VIBESHIFTS | 10 | Big changes in the Zeitgeist, as suggested by the circled letters in this puzzle? |
| 50% | GOLDNUGGETS | 11 | Valuable finds suggested by the circled letters |
| 50% | STORE | 5 | Corner ___ (phrase suggested by the circled letters) |
| 49% | EXERCISEROUTINE | 15 | Workout suggested by the circled letters and their orientation |
| 49% | FOOLSRUSHIN | 11 | 1940 Glenn Miller hit suggested by the circled letters |
| 48% | DOVER | 5 | Capital suggested by the circled letters and by the starts of 17- and 63-Across and 11- and 29-Down |
| 47% | WATER | 5 | With 68-Across, what the groups of circled letters are famous examples of |
| 47% | FALL | 4 | Season with color changes, as represented literally by the circled letters |
| 46% | ROUNDOFAPPLAUSE | 15 | Hand, as depicted by the circled letters |
| 45% | TWOPARTYSYSTEMS | 15 | Political configurations suggested by the answers (and their circled letters) at 17-, 24-, 50- and 61-Across? |
| 45% | SAYCHEESE | 9 | Photographer's request … as suggested by this puzzle's circled letters? |
| 45% | TIMES | 5 | ___ Square (landmark suggested by the groups of circled letters) |
| 45% | DONOTBEND | 9 | Mail instruction sometimes ignored, as suggested by the words in this puzzle's circles |
| 44% | ITSRAINING | 10 | With 63-Across, the opening lines to a nursery rhyme suggested by this puzzle's circled letters |
| 43% | BLOOM | 5 | Sign of spring, as depicted by the circled letters |
| 43% | SUBWAYDOORS | 11 | They slide shut, as pictured by the circled letters |
| 43% | CUT | 3 | With the circled letters, a hint to solving seven Across clues |
| 43% | TWISTTHEKNIFE | 13 | Increase someone's distress, as exemplified by the circled letters |
| 42% | OFFONALARK | 10 | What's depicted by the circled letters in 41-/49-Across |
| 42% | LOOPDELOOPDELOOP | 16 | Maneuver for slot car racers or stunt pilots, as suggested by this puzzle's circled letters |
| 41% | FRENCHREVOLUTION | 16 | Historical event suggested by each of the six groups of circled letters |
| 41% | FILECOMPRESSION | 15 | Aid in saving disk space, as displayed by the circled letters |
| 41% | CENTRAL | 7 | With 68-Across, the circled part of this crossword |
| 41% | SPREADTHEWEALTH | 15 | Be generous with one's good fortune, as depicted by the movement of this puzzle's circled letters |
| 40% | KEEPSANEYEON | 12 | Looks after, as suggested by the last word of 20-, 29- and 46-Across |
| 40% | FIVEGOLDENRINGS | 15 | One set of gifts in "The 12 Days of Christmas" ... as suggested by the circled squares? |