Crossword Genius

Setter and solver and editor getting exhausted (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

used

'exhausted' is the definition.
(exhaust can mean to use up)

'setter and solver and editor' is the wordplay.
'setter and solver' becomes 'us' (the setter and the solver of the crossword).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'editor' becomes 'ed' (abbreviation).
'us'+'ed'='USED'

'getting' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for used that I've seen before include "Pre-loved" , "Accustomed - exploited" , "Pre-owned" , "Dues (anag.)" , "was milking" .)

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