Crossword Genius

What sounds like requirements for massages (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

kneads

'massages' is the definition.
('knead' can be a synonym of 'massage')

'what sounds like requirements' is the wordplay.
'what sounds like' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'requirements' becomes 'needs' ('need' can be a synonym of 'requirement').
'needs' is a homophone of 'KNEADS'.

'for' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for kneads that I've seen before include "Massages, dough say" , "Works together into a mass" , "Massages, dough perhaps" , "Works (dough) with the hands" , "Works and presses with the hands" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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