| SENTENTIOUS | It's intense to us, but maybe morally pompous (11) |
| DEEP | Like, super intense to think about |
| NEPTUNE | Planet in our solar system known for its intense blue color; it is named after the Roman god of the oceans |
| UNOBTRUSIVE | ... over in US, but curiously low-key |
| ELIZABETHAN | Crossrail TBM that was nominally of its time, but maybe also from 1558-1603 (11) |
| INTERESTING | Arousing one's curiosity but maybe resenting it (11) |
| READYCOOKED | Decor okayed, perhaps, but maybe needs re-heating (5,6) |
| STICKYPATCH | Tough time, but maybe it could help you quit (6,5) |
| SWELL | A bit rough to us, but Americans think it's great (5) |
| REFUSAL | Looks like a flare to us but you deny it (7) |
| EXODUS | Formerly, it was almost strange to us but it was in the good book (6) |
| LINGER | Left to reign over us, but will hang around (6) |
| STARMAN | "He'd like to come and meet us, but he thinks he'd blow our minds," per David Bowie |
| VIRUS | 6 Romans to lead? That's right with us but it could become contagious! |
| RAPACIOUS | Love to go to Capri and the USA but you say I'm far too greedy |
| EXPAT | Person born in the US but now living abroad, for short |
| ONES | Bills still passed in the US, but never in Canada |
| DISHONOURABLE | Some food in front of us but no tea, you say? Shameful! |
| ACCUSES | Charges, having caught us, but the case is thrown out (7) |
| AMERICANEMBASSY | A mission for us, but only in capitals (8,7) |
