Candy is set, oddly combines (10)

I believe the answer is:

syndicates

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'combines' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both groups as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'candy is set oddly' is the wordplay.
'oddly' indicates an anagram.
'candy'+'is'+'set'='candyisset'
'candyisset' with letters rearranged gives 'SYNDICATES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for syndicates that I've seen is " Associations".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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