Managed to replace filter (9)
I believe the answer is:
percolate
'filter' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'managed to replace' is the wordplay.
'managed' indicates an anagram.
'to'+'replace'='toreplace'
'toreplace' anagrammed gives 'PERCOLATE'.
(Other definitions for percolate that I've seen before include "Penetrate gradually" , "Strain" , "Pass through fine openings, like coffee say" , "Filter - to replace (anag)" , "Sift gradually through clear poet" .)