Cryptic crossword clue
Close match over, supporter’s embraced 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word STIFLING

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Close" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case close = stifling.
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 STIFLING mean?

STIFLING verb
  1. To interrupt or cut off.
  2. To repress, keep in or hold back.
  3. To smother or suffocate.
  4. To feel smothered etc.
  5. To die of suffocation.
  6. To treat a silkworm cocoon with steam as part of the process of silk production.
STIFLING noun
  1. The act by which something is stifled.
STIFLING adjective
  1. That stifles.

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