Crossword Genius

Excuses from sweetheart — and address for woman taking part (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

exempts

'excuses' is the definition.
(to exempt is to excuse from)

'sweetheart and address for woman taking part' is the wordplay.
'sweetheart' becomes 'exe' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'address for woman' becomes 'Ms' (title for a woman, alternative to Mrs or Miss).
'taking' is an insertion indicator.
'part' becomes 'pt' (abbreviation).
'ms' enclosing 'pt' is 'mpts'.
'exe'+'mpts'='EXEMPTS'

'from' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for exempts that I've seen before include "Grants immunity to" , "Frees from liability" , "Frees from obligation, say jury service" , "Lets off" , "Excuses" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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