Absolute state (5)

I believe the answer is:

utter

This clue is a double definition.

'absolute' is the first definition.
('utter' can be similar in meaning to 'absolute')

'state' is the second definition.
(thesaurus)

(Other definitions for utter that I've seen before include "Speak or say" , "Absolute - state" , "Pronounce - total" , "Say - complete" , "Articulate, express" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent, The Guardian and The Telegraph.

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