Wastes answer on awards (9)

I believe the answer is:

atrophies

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'wastes' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to bodily activities as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'answer on awards' is the wordplay.
'answer on' becomes 'a' (abbreviation eg in Q and A. I am not sure about the 'on' bit.).
'awards' becomes 'trophies' (trophy is a kind of award).
'a'+'trophies'='ATROPHIES'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for atrophies that I've seen is " Withers".)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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