| DEADAHEAD | Directly in your path, or a hint to what can precede each starred answer's first word |
| OVERTHETOP | Wildly exaggerated, or a hint to two words that can precede each starred answer's start |
| CHANGEDIRECTION | Take a new path ... or a hint to 20-, 36-, 41- and 57-Across |
| THEXFACTOR | Hard-to-define element, or a hint to what can precede each last word in answers to starred clues |
| INVISIBLEHAND | Unseen market force, or a hint to what can follow each starred answer's first word and precede its last word |
| POWERPLAY | Takeover endeavor ... and a hint to what can precede each word in the answers to starred clues |
| ALLSWELL | "We're doing OK!" ... or, read differently, a hint to each starred answer's first word |
| TITLECHARACTERS | *Many protagonists, and a hint to the four letters that make up each starred answer's first word |
| RIDE | A hack on a horse; a journey on a bike or a motorcycle; a bridleway or other rural path; or, a fairground attraction such as a rollercoaster (4) |
| EARLYBIRD | First to arrive, say, or a hint to each starred answer's first few letters |
| DOUBLE | Clone, or what can precede each half of the answers to the starred clues |
| DOCHOLLIDAY | *Wild West deputy who was originally a dentist (unscramble each starred answer's first word) |
| DOUBLETAKE | Surprised reaction ... or a hint to what can precede both halves of the answers to the starred clues |
| CONVERTIBLETOPS | Sporty vehicles' roofs, and a hint to the starred answers' first words |
| FALSESTART | Sprinter's infraction, and a hint to the starred answers' first words |
| HEADCHEESE | *Cold cut that's ironically dairy-free (note each starred answer's first word) |
| ENDPLAYS | *Bridge maneuvers (note each starred answer's first word, plus four letters below it) |
| FIRESIDES | Warm, cozy places ... and a hint to what can precede both parts of the answers to starred clues |
| WATERFRONT | Harbor area, or a hint to what can precede either half of each starred answer? |
| LEGOBRICK | *Building block that may be inserted into or removed from a set one by one (as seen in the starred answers' first words) |
