Crossword Genius

Seaman loves convoluted excuse (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

absolve

'excuse' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'seaman loves convoluted' is the wordplay.
'seaman' becomes 'ab' (short for able seaman).
'convoluted' indicates an anagram.
'loves' with letters rearranged gives 'solve'.
'ab'+'solve'='ABSOLVE'

(Other definitions for absolve that I've seen before include "Set free from guilt" , "Lob vase (anag.)" , "Grant remission of a sin" , "Exonerate" , "free of error" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun and The Telegraph.
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