The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word SECRETIVE
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
S
E
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V
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More clues leading to the result SECRETIVE
- About to enter cult, one has to be tight-lipped
- Close game receives outstanding support, finally
- Close family member the French rejected after a short time
- Enigmatic south-eastern island hiding activity at centre
- . Little time to be impatient without initially seeming unforthcoming
- Alien in service awfully unforthcoming
- Release includes one volume that’s reserved
- Alien figure in service abroad is withdrawn
- Close drip, stopping leak
- Small, erectile dysfunction, taking Viagra initially for length, requires discretion
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "withdrawn" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case withdrawn = secretive.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SECRETIVE mean?
SECRETIVE adjective- Having an inclination to secrecy
- Relating to secretion