| ALITTLEBITFISHY | Somewhat suspect (and a hint to what can be found by connecting the circled letters in alphabetical |
| PENTAGRAM | Shape formed by connecting the circled letters in alphabetical order, plus one more connection back to A |
| FORTY | Number with all its letters in alphabetical order |
| WORLDGIRAFFEDAY | Annual June 21 celebration of the animal depicted in this puzzle by connecting the circled letters from A to T and back to A |
| WHISTLEDOWN | Anonymous gossip columnist on "Bridgerton" whose real identity can be found by reading the first letters of the Across clues ... and a hint to the grid's circled letters |
| PROTEINSHAKE | Post-workout nourishment, and a hint to what can be found in each set of circled letters |
| OCHRISTMASTREE | Holiday carol ... or a literal hint to what can be drawn by connecting nine letters when this puzzle is finished |
| OPTICALILLUSION | Image depicted in this puzzle by connecting the circled letters alphabetically |
| DEUCESWILD | Card game declaration, and a hint to what can be found in the four other longest answers |
| SEVENSEAS | Result of connecting the circled letters in a certain way, in a punny manner of speaking |
| FORTYNINERS | Old rush participants ... or a three-part hint to what can be found in this puzzle's grid or clues |
| LIGHTNINGBOLT | What's formed by connecting this puzzle's circled letters from A to F and then back to A |
| BUTTERFLY | Image formed by connecting this puzzle's circled letters from A to N and then back to A |
| BACKTOBACK | Consecutive ... and a hint to what can follow the first parts and precede the second parts of the starred clues' answers |
| HELEN | British actress who has appeared in many films, TV series and theatrical performances including "The Queen" and "Prime Suspect", and who is currently starring in a crime series called "MobLand" scenes |
| MIRREN | British actress who has appeared in many films, TV series and theatrical performances including "The Queen" and "Prime Suspect", and who is currently starring in a crime series called "MobLand" scenes |
| CREE | Indigenous Canadian people whose name can be found by taking every other letter of the word "cornered" |
| MARKMYWORDS | "Remember what I said!" ... and a hint to what can follow each part of the answers to starred clues |
| BOOKENDS | Simon & Garfunkel album, and a hint to what can precede and follow the halves of the starred answers |
| POWERPLAY | Takeover endeavor ... and a hint to what can precede each word in the answers to starred clues |
