| USATODAYSECTION | One can be found at the starts of 17-, 29- and 45-Across |
| HUFFANDPUFF | Catch your breath, or what the subject of this puzzle (found at the start of 17-, 29- and 45-Across) |
| DOWNSIZING | Cornerstone of the Konmari method, and the progression found at the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| WILDFLOWERS | Colorful elements of a meadow, and what can be found at the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| FATHERFIGURES | Some male role models, and what can be found at the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| SINKORSWIM | Success-versus-failure metaphor, and what can be found at the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| FOURQUARTERS | Change for a dollar, and what can be found at the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| MOUNTAINEER | One who encounters the last parts of 17-, 29- and 45-Across on a climb |
| SPA | Place to enjoy the kinds of pampering found at the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| PENNAMES | Writers' aliases, and what are found at the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| LEGOBRICKS | Toy construction pieces. or what can be found at the starts of the starred clues' answers? |
| EYEOPENER | Revelation, or what can be found at the starts of the starred answers |
| INSECT | One can be found at the end of each * answer |
| COMPOSTBIN | Eco-friendly container that may hold the ends of 17-, 29- and 45-Across |
| FIRESTARTER | 1980 Stephen King novel ... or a hint to the beginnings of 17-, 29- and 45-Across |
| MARCHMADNESS | Annual sports event that begins with Selection Sunday on 3/15 ... or, cryptically, a hint to the scrambled word found at the starts of 20-, 29-, 37- and |
| TRIMLEVEL | Options package for a new car, and what can be found at the start of the answer to each starred clue |
| MACOPERATINGSYSTEMS | Things found at the starts of the answers to the six starred clues |
| SCALE | Musical sequence found at the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| FAILURETOLAUNCH | Rocket mishap, or what can be found at the start of the answer to each starred clue |
