Crossword Genius

Comes close to having pointed ears (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nears

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'comes close to' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'pointed ears' is the wordplay.
'pointed' becomes 'n' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'n'+'ears'='NEARS'

'having' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nears that I've seen before include "Becomes closer" , "Uses snare to get closer" , "Draws closer to" , "Draws close" , "advances" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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