Thanks, heartless cheaters (6)
I believe the answer is:
cheers
'thanks' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with communicating as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'heartless cheaters' is the wordplay.
'heartless' suggests removing the centre.
'cheaters' with its middle removed is 'CHEERS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cheers that I've seen before include "Cries of approval" , "Hurrahs - it's a toast" , "Good health!" , "Shouts of approval" , "Skoal! Thanks! Goodbye!" .)