Answer about a NE state (5)

I believe the answer is:

react

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'answer' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'about a ne state' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 'rea' (I've seen this in other clues).
'a ne state' becomes 'ct' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'rea'+'ct'='REACT'

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(Other definitions for react that I've seen before include "Show opposition" , "Change chemically" , "Respond emotionally" , "Acknowledge" , "Take" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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