Best

OUTDO5 lettersrecorded 6 times for this clue

The New York Times, Sunday, 6 July 2008, set by Brendan Emmett Quigley — WHAT THE H?.

Also in 5 further puzzles in The New York Times, 1995–2005.

TOP3 lettersrecorded 5 times for this clue

The New York Times, Sunday, 2 September 2007, set by Lee Glickstein and Nancy Salomon — PUT IT IN WRITING.

Also in 4 further puzzles in The New York Times, 1995–2007.

IDEAL5 lettersrecorded 4 times for this clue

The New York Times, Friday, 18 April 2008, set by Joe DiPietro.

Also in 3 further puzzles in The New York Times, 1996–2002.

OPTIMAL7 lettersrecorded 4 times for this clue

The New York Times, Thursday, 29 November 2007, set by Elizabeth C. Gorski.

Also in 3 further puzzles in The New York Times, 1995–2006.

DEFEAT6 lettersrecorded 2 times for this clue

The New York Times, Tuesday, 22 October 1996, set by E. Quigley.

Also in 1 further puzzle in The New York Times, 1995.

OFALL5 lettersrecorded 2 times for this clue

The New York Times, Sunday, 31 July 2011, set by Pamela Amick Klawitter — SEPARATE CHECKS.

Also in 1 further puzzle in The New York Times, 1993.

ELITE5 lettersrecorded once for this clue

The New York Times, Sunday, 18 July 2010, set by Robert W. Harris — CRITICAL PERIODS.

ONEUP5 lettersrecorded once for this clue

The New York Times, Friday, 26 December 2008, set by Brendan Emmett Quigley.

CREAM5 lettersrecorded once for this clue

The New York Times, Friday, 7 August 1998, set by Frank A. Longo.

GRADEA6 lettersrecorded once for this clue

The New York Times, Wednesday, 24 March 2004, set by Norma Johnson.

PICKOFTHELITTER15 lettersrecorded once for this clue

The New York Times, Monday, 2 February 1998, set by Gregory E. Paul.

OUTFOX6 lettersrecorded once for this clue

The New York Times, Thursday, 6 May 1999, set by Matt Gaffney.