Crossword Genius

Wears out sleepers around river (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tires

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'wears' is the definition.
('tire' can be a synonym of 'wear')

'out sleepers around river' is the wordplay.
'out' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'sleepers' becomes 'ties' ('tie' can be a synonym of 'sleeper').
'around river' becomes 'r' (abbreviation. I am not sure about the 'around' bit.).
'ties' placed around 'r' is 'TIRES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tires that I've seen before include "Wearies" , "Weakens" , "Grows weary of rites" , "Becomes weary and in need of rest" , "Exhausts" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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