Crossword Genius

Root around this counter (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rebut

'this counter' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'root around' is the wordplay.
'root' becomes 'tuber' (I've seen this before).
'around' is a reversal indicator.
'tuber' written backwards gives 'REBUT'.

(Other definitions for rebut that I've seen before include "Refute - disprove" , "Tuber (anag.)" , "Brute (anag)" , "Quash" , "Claim or prove to be false" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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