Crossword Genius

Thought many had been exploited (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mused

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

'thought' is the definition.
(musing is a kind of thinking)

'many had been exploited' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'many' could be 'm' (Roman numeral for a thousand) and 'm' is found within the answer.
'had' could be 'd' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'd' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'use' is a valid word 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 mused that I've seen before include "'Meditated, mulled (5)'" , "Reflected or pondered" , "Was deep in thought" , "Was absorbed in thought" , "Contemplated" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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