Understands fool must accept facts in the end (5,2)
I believe the answer is:
takes in
'understands' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to thinking as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'fool must accept facts in the end' is the wordplay.
'fool' becomes 'takein' (synonyms).
'must accept' indicates putting letters inside.
'in the end' indicates one should take the final letters.
The last letter of 'facts' is 's'.
'takein' enclosing 's' is 'TAKES IN'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for takes in that I've seen before include "Puts up" , "deceives" , "Receives" , "kids" , "Offers accommodation to" .)