| SLIPPERY | With 68-Across, precarious situations, as suggested by the circled letters |
| HANGBYATHREAD | Be in precarious situation - as the Sword of Damocles? (4,2,1,6) |
| GRAYAREAS | Ill-defined situations ... as seen four times in this puzzle? |
| DAIRY | Cream 1-across precarious after initial alteration (5) |
| REALISM | Acceptance of situations as they are |
| GROWABEARD | Do the opposite of shave ... as suggested by the circled letters |
| VIBESHIFTS | Big changes in the Zeitgeist, as suggested by the circled letters in this puzzle? |
| REVERSE | Certain auto gear ... as suggested by the circled letters |
| FIVEGOLDENRINGS | One set of gifts in "The 12 Days of Christmas" ... as suggested by the circled squares? |
| BOTTOMROW | Last line of a spreadsheet (as suggested by the circled squares?) |
| MUM | The word, as suggested by the saying formed by the ends of this puzzle's four longest answers |
| DOORDIE | Desperate, as suggested by the finishes of the eight longest Across answers |
| TURDUCKEN | Entree with nested birds, as suggested by the progression of fowl in the starred answers |
| SOCIALMEDIA | Modern networking aid, as suggested by the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| MARCHMADNESS | Annual sporting event suggested by the circled letters |
| STORE | Corner ___ (phrase suggested by the circled letters) |
| GOLDNUGGETS | Valuable finds suggested by the circled letters |
| EXERCISEROUTINE | Workout suggested by the circled letters and their orientation |
| FOOLSRUSHIN | 1940 Glenn Miller hit suggested by the circled letters |
| FLAGWAVING | Patriotic activity suggested by the circled letters |
