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Struggling with endgame still.
I can see four synonyms, all acrosses, linked to theme, but their clue numbers total way higher than 41 (one is 41!), have I got the wrong thing?

Lumen, I don't understand the 'clue numbers'. The 30 consecutive clues mean that there are 17 clues left - and it's the extra letter (from wordplay) in those that are used to change the four words.

Lumen, the two on the left hand side of the grid add up to 41, one across and one down. The two on the right side of the grid add up to 52, again, an across and a down. Answer 41 is not one of them.

Put another way, if you like solving equations, the two acrosses sum to 51, and the two downs sum to 42

You’re quite right, Malone. I was simply trying to identify the answers that need to be changed, as there are more than four plausible candidates

Quisling, thanks. I can interpret crossword clues reasonaably well (most of the time), ordinary discourse can be harder!

It was my fault, Malone. In trying to avoid spelling out which answers needed changing, and spoiling it for anyone, I have just confused everyone! 🙈

Quisling, thanks - I see what your reply was directing, helping towards. Maybe bewteen us we'll have given Lumen something to work with - or maybe he'll (she'll?) soldier on regarrdless.

I have the correct four now.
Still looks a challenge to complete, but I will have a try!

THanks, Lumen. Playing around with the letters, the 17 letters, gave me a good way in.

I think I am there. Not convinced my substitute word top left is right.
I don't have the extra letters from 7a or 16a as haven't parsed those.
Got solutions from definitions only.