Crossword Genius

Partners returning concessions holding value (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spouses

'partners' is the definition.
('spouse' can be a synonym of 'partner')

'returning concessions holding value' is the wordplay.
'returning' is a reversal indicator.
'concessions' becomes 'sops' (sop is a kind of concession).
'holding' is an insertion indicator.
'value' becomes 'use' (Use is a type of value in economics).
'sops' reversed gives 'spos'.
'spos' placed around 'use' is 'SPOUSES'.

(Other definitions for spouses that I've seen before include "Wives or husbands" , "Partners in marriage" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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