Crossword Genius

Word for word, very bad time, endlessly (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

verbatim

'word for word' is the definition.
(synonyms)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for verbatim that I've seen before include "exact words" , "In exactly the words used" , "Word for word" , "Faithfully copied" , "To the letter" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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