Crossword Genius

Announced a number have cleared out (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

declared

'announced' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'a number have cleared out' is the wordplay.
'a number' becomes 'd' (D is an example).
'have' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'out' indicates anagramming the letters (out can mean wrong or inaccurate).
'cleared' with letters rearranged gives 'eclared'.
'd'+'eclared'='DECLARED'

(Other definitions for declared that I've seen before include "Avowed openly" , "Announced publicly" , "Stated emphatically" , "Made clearly known" , "Closed an innings" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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