| 100% | BUTTERFLY | 9 | Word that must be added to 1-, 8-, 65- and 66-Across for their clues to make sense [with a visual hint in the grid] |
| 39% | RIPPEDABS | 9 | Many a gymgoer's goal … or what the starred clues in this puzzle must have for their answers to make sense? |
| 38% | AROUND | 6 | Word needed to be added to 12 appropriately placed answers in this puzzle for their clues to make sense |
| 38% | MAKEITADOUBLE | 13 | Request to a bartender, and what must be done to the last words of 20-, 30-, 36-, and 47-Across for the answers to match their clues |
| 34% | TRIMTHETREE | 11 | Decorate for Christmas, in a way, and how to make sense of the answer to each starred clue? |
| 34% | PASSGO | 6 | Round a corner in 65-Across ... or what you must do to answer the clues for 20-, 34-, 43- and 56-Across |
| 33% | DROPINS | 7 | Unexpected guests, and what you need to do to seven Across answers for their clues to make sense |
| 33% | PUTONTHEDOG | 11 | Pretend to be wealthy, in old slang ... and a hint to words that end answers to starred clues |
| 33% | ESS | 3 | Letter that can be added to the fronts of 4-, 6- and 7-Across to make new words |
| 33% | FLUTTERNUTTER | 13 | Word for a peanut-butter-and-marshmallow-creme sandwich that was added to Merriam-Webster in 2021 |
| 33% | BYEBYEBIRDIE | 12 | Musical with the song "Put On a Happy Face," and a hint to making four answers match their starred clues |
| 32% | ADDUP | 5 | Make sense, and a hint to the answers to the starred clues |
| 32% | CLIMBING | 8 | Sport ___, sport that will debut in the 2020 Olympics and requires contestants to ascend a steep wall with their hands and feet |
| 32% | PIGOUT | 6 | Ingurgitate, and a hint to making sense of the starred clues |
| 31% | OTANNENBAUM | 11 | Seasonal song with a hint to the last words in 17-, 25-, 37- and 45-Across |
| 31% | ISEE | 4 | Words of comprehension, and a phonetic hint for the answers to the starred clues |
| 31% | HORCHATA | 8 | Word for a cold, sweet drink that was added to Merriam-Webster in 2021 |
| 31% | SKIPPING | 8 | With 59-Across, lakeside activity ... or a hint to the words spelled across the fifth, eighth and 11th rows of the completed grid |
| 31% | ENDIN | 5 | Conclude with, and a phonetic hint for the answers to the starred clues |
| 31% | IRE | 3 | Word for "anger" that becomes a country's name when "land" is added to the end |
| 31% | AIRFRYER | 8 | Word for a small kitchen appliance that was added to Merriam-Webster in 2021 (2 wds.) |
| 31% | ICANSHOW | 8 | With 39- and 44-Across, promise that Aladdin sings to Jasmine (and a hint to the answers to the starred clues) |
| 31% | STUFFEDTOMATOES | 15 | Rice-filled appetizers with red shells, and a hint to the words that bookend 17-, 30-, and 42-Across |
| 31% | IBELIEVEICANFLY | 15 | R. Kelly hit whose last title word is aptly rhymed with "sky" in the lyrics ... and a hint to the starts of the other four longest puzzle answers |
| 31% | HARD | 4 | ___ pass, term for a firm rejection that was added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2021 |
| 30% | BLUE | 4 | Word with "bell" to make a purple bloom that is spread across North America |
| 30% | MIDDLEMAN | 9 | One who may be cut out, and what must be cut out of five answers to make sense of their clues |
| 30% | SECRET | 6 | With 46-Across, some areas in Clue … or a hint to the first, fourth, twelfth and fifteenth rows of this puzzle |
| 30% | BUMAROUND | 9 | Wander aimlessly ... and a hint to a divided word in the answers to starred clues |
| 30% | WHEW | 4 | Word that corresponds to the emoji with a grinning face, beads of sweat and seems to be wiping its brow |