| LEASTWORST | Bad, but better than the alternatives |
| ACUTABOVE | Notably better than the alternatives |
| NECESSARYEVIL | Case inversely changed for a bad but better outcome (9,4) |
| OASES | Nothing but wild seas, but better than the desert sands |
| CHEAPEST | Free speech, at a price? That's less costly than the alternatives (8) |
| ABOVEPAR | Have a bogey, but better than expected (5,3) |
| EAGLE | No albatross, but better than a birdie (5) |
| LATE | Better this than never, but better never this? |
| SIXANDTWOTHREES | Dishonest extra somehow concealing weight in a situation where the alternatives are the same (3,3,3,6) |
| CHOOSE | Eliminate the alternatives |
| WILDLY | Ignoring the alternatives, whirls Dolly with exuberance (6) |
| BALLOT | Ticket listing the alternatives that is used in voting (6) |
| NECESSARYEVILS | Unpleasant things one accepts because the alternatives are worse |
| UPINARMS | Indignant, but better prepared for war? (2,2,4) |
| ECSTATIC | Happy? Yes, but better |
| CURSED | Blighted but better after swallowing last of pills (6) |
| AGAIN | "___, but Better" (Christine Riccio novel) |
| BEAUTY | Comes down to looks but better within (6) |
| SPY | Movie that did what "Get Smart" did, but better |
| TRY | "Do it again but better" |
