Crossword Genius

Worried to support married couple (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mate

'couple' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'worried to support married' is the wordplay.
'worried' becomes 'ate' (something worrying may eat someone up).
'to support' says to put letters next to each other (in a down clue, some letters hold others up).
'married' becomes 'm'.
'ate' after 'm' is 'MATE'.

(Other definitions for mate that I've seen before include "couple" , "Friend, buddy" , "declared winning position on board" , "assistant" , "Finish game" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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