AUTOMATE

Set to 3 different clues across 3 published puzzles, most often “Drop a few positions, maybe” — The New York Times, Friday, 24 August 2007.

8 letters

Every clue on record, most used first

Drop a few positions, maybeonce
The New York Times — Friday, 24 August 2007
Mechanizeonce
The New York Times — Wednesday, 17 February 1999
One way to decrease the work forceonce
The New York Times — Friday, 1 November 1996