| 100% | SAID | 4 | With 7- and 8-Across, mocking phrase following an unpopular opinion |
| 51% | SAIDNOONEEVER | 13 | Slangy phrase following an unpopular opinion |
| 45% | THE | 3 | With 7- and 8-Across, "Preposterous!" |
| 31% | CREAM | 5 | With 7-Across and 1-Down, best and brightest |
| 31% | ALONE | 5 | With 7-Across, what an introvert uses to recharge |
| 31% | GROWING | 7 | With 41 Across, gradually-apparent problem ... and an explanation of the puzzle's circles? |
| 31% | MELBA | 5 | With 7-Across, food named for an Australian opera star |
| 31% | NEW | 3 | With 7-Across and 5-Down, time to make resolutions |
| 31% | HADONES | 7 | With 25-Across, voiced an opinion |
| 31% | WEST | 4 | With 7- and 5-Across, 2021 film remake of a classic 1957 musical |
| 30% | AISLE | 5 | With 7-Across, what C and D indicate on boarding passes |
| 30% | MAD | 3 | With 7-Across, 1997 thriller starring Dustin Hoffman and John Travolta |
| 30% | ALLYOU | 6 | With 8-Across, like an unlimited buffet |
| 30% | DONOT | 5 | With 7-Across, street sign with a red circle and white bar |
| 30% | BURST | 5 | With 6- and 8-Across, suddenly become famous |
| 30% | SUN | 3 | With 8-Across, Chinese general and military strategist |
| 30% | ARENA | 5 | With 8-Across, subgenre for Journey and Foreigner |
| 30% | PRO | 3 | With 4- and 7-Across, both sides ... or the missing starts for all the remaining Across answers |
| 29% | MADEIN | 6 | With "the" and 32-Across, describing an old Matryoshka doll |
| 29% | IBEFORE | 7 | With 14- and 64-Across, familiar rule not always followed |
| 29% | CRASH | 5 | With 8-Across, figure in an auto safety test |
| 29% | SPICE | 5 | With 8-Across, kitchen holders of rosemary and thyme |
| 29% | NEWSPAPERCOLUMN | 15 | Place to express an opinion ... or a literal description of 3-, 7-, 9- and 21-Down? |
| 29% | HOT | 3 | With 7- and 27-Down, brewed beverage |
| 29% | IBEFOREE | 8 | With 7-Down, an ordering principle |
| 28% | LIFE | 4 | With 6- and 8-Across, shared belief of Christianity and Islam |
| 28% | CHEFS | 5 | With 8-Across, gesture with the fingers and lips meaning "Exquisite!" |
| 28% | FOOT | 4 | With 6- and 8-Across, entry that allows for later success |
| 28% | ONA | 3 | Go out ___ limb (have an unpopular opinion): 2 wds. |
| 28% | VIDEO | 5 | With 8-Across, something played by an e-sports competitor |