Crossword Genius

Only looks carefully round, but it makes one feel better (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

consoles

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'but it makes one feel better' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'only looks carefully round' is the wordplay.
'only' becomes 'sole' (synonyms).
'looks carefully' becomes 'cons' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'round' is an insertion indicator.
'sole' inserted inside 'cons' is 'CONSOLES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for consoles that I've seen before include "Comforts about coolness" , "Gives solace" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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