The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 10 letter word EMPATHETIC
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
E
M
P
A
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H
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C
More clues leading to the result EMPATHETIC
- Understanding it makes one sick, when circuiting course
- Understanding it makes one sick when going round course
- It’s sickening to maintain course of action, feeling as you do for me?
- English politician vigorous, putting out line expressing fellow-feeling
- Approach when beset by something that makes one sick? Showing understanding
- Being understanding towards them? Useless!
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Showing understanding" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case showing understanding = empathetic.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 EMPATHETIC mean?
EMPATHETIC adjective- Showing empathy for others, and recognizing their feelings; empathic