Crossword Genius

Consumed as a joke, reportedly by editor (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ingested

'consumed' is the definition.
('ingest' can be a synonym of 'consume')

'as a joke reportedly by editor' is the wordplay.
'as a joke' becomes 'injest' (in jest).
'reportedly' shows a homophone (sound like).
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'editor' becomes 'ed'.
'injest' is a homophone of 'ingest'.
'ingest'+'ed'='INGESTED'

(Other definitions for ingested that I've seen before include "Consumed, ate" , "Took in (food)" , "Taken in as food" , "Took into the body." , "Consumed, absorbed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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