Journalist fumes before getting tired (9)
I believe the answer is:
exhausted
'tired' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'journalist fumes before' is the wordplay.
'journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor).
'fumes' becomes 'exhaust' (synonyms).
'before' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'ed' after 'exhaust' is 'EXHAUSTED'.
'getting' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for exhausted that I've seen before include "All in, really tired" , "Complete fatigued" , "Drained of strength" , "spent" , "ready for bed" .)