Crossword Genius

Removes risk element from brilliant exercises (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

defuses

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'removes risk element' is the definition.
'defuses' can be an answer for 'removes' (defusing is a kind of removing). I'm unsure of the 'risk element' bit.

'brilliant exercises' is the wordplay.
'brilliant' becomes 'def' (I've seen this before).
'exercises' becomes 'uses' (to exercise something can mean to use it).
'def'+'uses'='DEFUSES'

'from' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for defuses that I've seen is " Removes the triggering device".)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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