More numerous than reports of the unpopular anaesthetic (9)

I believe the answer is:

outnumber

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'more numerous than reports of' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'unpopular anaesthetic' is the wordplay.
'unpopular' becomes 'out' (similar in meaning).
'anaesthetic' becomes 'number' (i.e. something that makes things numb).
'out'+'number'='OUTNUMBER'

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for outnumber that I've seen before include "Exceed numerically" , "Exceed in total of persons" , "Have more (eg troops) than" , "Be in the majority" , "Be more numerous than" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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