| Rating | Solver | Clue |
|---|---|---|
| NEARER | Closer | |
| NEARS | Comes closer | |
| NEARED | Became closer | |
| NEARING | Drawing closer to | |
| RIPER | Closer to picking-time | |
| GLIDINGIN | Drawing closer to | |
| GAININGON | Drawing closer to | |
| APPROACHED | Got closer to | |
| GAINING ON | Drawing closer to (7,2) | |
| TIGHTER | Meaner when closer? Fitting! | |
| RIVER | Closer to picking time | |
| LOSER | Lemon closer to being topped | |
| SHUTTER | Closer to a camera part? | |
| INTERLOCKS | Meshes made of closer knit | |
| BARTENDER | Bart gets closer to Moe, perhaps? | |
| RARER | Closer to blue, as a steak | |
| TELESCOPES | Instruments which make distant objects closer | |
| GAINSON | Comes closer to making profits - number comes up | |
| CLOSER | One who, or that which, closes; specifically, a boot closer. See under Boot. | |
| NOOSE | A running knot, or loop, which binds the closer the more it is drawn. | |