The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word WARMED
I've seen this crossword clue in The Sunday Telegraph
W
A
R
M
E
D
More clues leading to the result WARMED
- Conflict by the sea, briefly gave enthusiasm
- Having a higher temperature, compiler’s admitted to part of the hospital
- Conflict at sea hotted up
- Excited when the setter’s taken into custody?
- Heated battles approaching sea
- Conflict over what divides Europe and Africa became heated
- Women carrying weapons got more affectionate
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "heated" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case heated = warmed.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 WARMED mean?
WARMED verb- To make or keep warm.
- To become warm, to heat up.
- To favour increasingly.
- To become ardent or animated.
- To make engaged or earnest; to interest; to engage; to excite ardor or zeal in; to enliven.
- To beat or spank.
- At a higher temperature.
- At a higher degree of compassion or friendship.