It's a Snap solution
by Kegler
As indicated phonetically by 26 Across, FIVE EASY PIECES, five answers have E-Z added to form new words before entry.
Across
| 1 | LA(I)RD |
| 5 | S + P(R)UCE |
| 8 | dUMP |
| 11 | ADMIRE (DREAM I anag) |
| 12 | DEB + ON AIR |
| 14 | MORe + TI(CIA)N |
| 16 | B + REEZED |
| 17 | DI + STAFF |
| 18 | E(N)D'S |
| 20 | PIP + E |
| 23 | LE + I |
| 25 | HA(T)S |
| 26 | FIVE EASY PIECES |
| 27 | RE(IN)FORMED |
| 30 | Z + ERO (ORE rev) |
| 32 | INDExED |
| 34 | O(W)NER (RENO rev) |
| 36 | FREEZ + E,R |
| 39 | ZOOm |
| 40 | PEOn + RIA (AIR rev) |
| 41 | EMIT + S (rev) |
| 42 | DI + RECTOR (I'D rev) |
| 43 | SI(E)STAS |
| 44 | TWEEZED (2 defs) |
|
Down
| 1 | LAMBED ("LAMMED" hom) |
| 2 | ADO(RN)S |
| 3 | RITES ("RIGHTS" hom) |
| 4 | DRI(Z + Z)LE (IDLER anag) |
| 5 | SE(C)ED + E |
| 6 | RE(ADI)LY (AID anag) |
| 7 | CORSE + T (SCORE anag) |
| 9 | MI(SF + I)T |
| 10 | PR + OF + ESSO + RIAL (LIAR anag) |
| 13 | NATCHEZ (hidden) |
| 15 | SARA(C,E)N |
| 19 | DIV(I + D)E |
| 21 | PE (PELE) + PE + W |
| 22 | BE(NEFI)TS (FINE anag) |
| 24 | I(SRAEL) + IS (ARLES anag) |
| 26 | FR(I)EZES (SERF rev) |
| 28 | ODES (DOES anag) |
| 29 | M(OZ)ART |
| 31 | RE(W) + IRE |
| 33 | NAOM + I (rev) |
| 35 | WROTE (TOWER anag) |
| 37 | R + EST (SET anag) |
| 38 | aBROZ (rev) |
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