Crossword Genius

They're mended at last, the only way (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

soles

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'they're mended at last the' is the definition.
The definition suggests an adverb but the answer is not.

'only way' is the wordplay.
'only' becomes 'sole' (synonyms).
'way' becomes 's' (Compass direction - South).
'sole'+'s'='SOLES'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for soles that I've seen before include "They're always under one's feet!" , "Undersides of feet" , "Shoe bottoms" , "Undersurfaces of feet" , "Fish; bottoms of feet" .)

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