Crossword Genius

Simple ways! (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

modest

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

'simple' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'ways' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'ways' could be 'modes' ('mode' can be a synonym of 'way') and 'modes' is located in the answer.
A single letter 't' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for modest that I've seen before include "Unassuming or unprententious" , "Having a humble opinion of oneself" , "Humble, meek or plain" , "Prudent" , "Mussorgsky, nominally?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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