Crossword Genius

Complete mess, it's said (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

whole

'complete' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'mess it's said' is the wordplay.
'mess' becomes 'hole' (synonyms).
'it's said' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'hole' is a homophone of 'WHOLE'.

(Other definitions for whole that I've seen before include "undamaged" , "All the components" , "Integral" , "In entirety" , "Entire, undivided" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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