Crossword Genius

Exhaust patent anger (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

overtire

'exhaust' is the definition.
(to exhaust is to tire out)

'patent anger' is the wordplay.
'patent' becomes 'overt' (both can mean obvious).
'anger' becomes 'ire' (ire is intense rage).
'overt'+'ire'='OVERTIRE'

(Other definitions for overtire that I've seen before include "Get excessively weary" , "tax too much" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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