Crossword Genius

Speak out, without love, to one's better half (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

utter

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

'speak out' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'without love to one's better half' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'better half' could be 'ter' and 'ter' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'ut' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for utter that I've seen before include "Speak, express" , "Absolute - state" , "Express; complete" , "Say; total" , "Put into words" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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