The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word RILE
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
R
I
L
E
More clues leading to the result RILE
- Anger, with one enjoying a carefree life cut short
- Anger about one’s last navel piercing
- Nettle rash at first seen on priest from the east
- Annoy king by backing priest
- Exasperate with endless stream of energy
- Wind up having two starters in each hand
- Carefree chap not unknown to get wind up
- Anger about embracing the Italian
- Plunder, lose heart, and irritate
- Irritate arm without fail
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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 RILE mean?
RILE verb- To make angry
- To stir or move from a state of calm or order