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In the end completely out of time, sadly (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alas

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'sadly' is the definition.
('alas' is used to express regret)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for alas that I've seen before include "Unhappily" , "Regretfully!" , "'- Poor Yorick' (Hamlet)" , "By bad luck" , "Cry of woe" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
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