Crossword Genius

Absolutely doesn’t open hint (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

imply

'hint' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'absolutely doesn't open' is the wordplay.
'absolutely' becomes 'simply'.
'doesn't open' means to remove the first letter.
'simply' with its first letter removed is 'IMPLY'.

(Other definitions for imply that I've seen before include "Intimate, suggest indirectly" , "Insinuate or suggest" , "Express indirectly" , "Cause to be inferred" , "Express by indirect means" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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