| 100% | TOPOF | 5 | Words preceding the line, the heap or the morning |
| 50% | ALL | 3 | Word preceding "Night Long" or "Along the Watchtower," in song |
| 47% | FRENCH | 6 | Word that can precede the start of 20-, 35-, 43- or 58-Across |
| 47% | POT | 3 | Word that may precede the beginning of 17-, 26-, 42- or 56-Across |
| 46% | CORN | 4 | Word that can precede the start of 17- or 54-Across or 11- or 27-Down |
| 46% | STAR | 4 | Word that might precede Trek or Wars at the movies |
| 45% | IDESOF | 6 | Words which could precede the 15th day of March, May, July or October in Roman times |
| 44% | DING | 4 | Word that precedes "Dong" or follows "Ring" in the snack cake aisle |
| 44% | GHOST | 5 | Word game ... or a word that can precede the starts of 18-, 26-, 43- and 54-Across |
| 44% | ICECREAM | 8 | Cold treat that can precede the last word of 18-, 23-, 40- or 50-Across |
| 43% | DROP | 4 | Word before "a hint," "a line," or "the ball" |
| 43% | QUEUE | 5 | Waiting line at the DMV... or a word that sounds like the first letter of 25a |
| 43% | PICKUP | 6 | Learn ... or a word that can precede the ends of 20-, 29-, 44- and 53-Across |
| 43% | DAY | 3 | Word that can follow the first part or precede the second part of 22-, 28-, 46- or 55-Across |
| 42% | DROP | 4 | Word before "a hint," "a line" or "the ball" |
| 42% | VANITY | 6 | Unappealing personal trait ... or a word that can precede the start of 17-, 28-, 46- or 60-Across |
| 42% | FIREANDRAIN | 11 | James Taylor classic ... or, respectively, what can precede the two words in each answer to a starred clue |
| 42% | IUS | 3 | Word for law as used in the Catholic Church, often preceding canonicum, sacrum, ecclesiasticum or divinum |
| 42% | DAS | 3 | Word that can precede EFX or Racist to create the name of a hip-hop group |
| 41% | SECURITY | 8 | Mall cop's job ... or a word that can precede the starts of 19-, 32-, 43- and 58-Across |
| 41% | JELLY | 5 | What quivering legs feel like ... or a word that can precede the starts of 17-, 27-, 45- and 60-Across |
| 40% | ACTOF | 5 | Words preceding war or God |
| 40% | PICKA | 5 | Words preceding number or card |
| 40% | ORAL | 4 | Word preceding hygiene or testimony |
| 40% | ICE | 3 | Word preceding pack or pick |
| 40% | INNER | 5 | Word preceding peace or life |
| 40% | WITH | 4 | Word preceding "pleasure" or "relish" |
| 40% | LAYIT | 5 | Words before "on the line" |
| 39% | NEXT | 4 | Word to the first in line |
| 39% | NEXT | 4 | Word to keep the line moving |