Crossword Genius

Total cheat, total friend (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

consummate

'total' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'cheat total friend' is the wordplay.
'cheat' becomes 'con' (conning is a kind of cheating).
'total' becomes 'sum' (synonyms).
'friend' becomes 'mate' (mate is a kind of friend).
'con'+'sum'+'mate'='CONSUMMATE'

(Other definitions for consummate that I've seen before include "Showing great skill and flair" , "Supreme, perfect; make (a marriage) complete" , "total" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times.
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