Crossword Genius

I declare the end of this dreadful year (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sayer

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'i declare the end of this dreadful year' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'end of this dreadful year' is the wordplay.
'end of' suggests the final letters.
'dreadful' indicates anagramming the letters.
The last letter of 'this' is 's'.
'year' anagrammed gives 'ayer'.
's'+'ayer'='SAYER'

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(Another definition for sayer that I've seen is " Leo - - (70s pop star)".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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