The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word PERVERSE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
P
E
R
V
E
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S
E
More clues leading to the result PERVERSE
- Peculiar proposal for paying poets?
- Contrary way to pay songwriter, possibly?
- Obstinate agent turning up with lines presented in book?
- It’s wrong, how poets get paid by results?
- Each bit of poetry is sick
- Contrary dirty old man, Irish
- Obstinate, essentially, over topless bars
- Unreasonable way to pay the bard
- Warped by poetry
- Wayward traveller going over lines
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Contrary" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case contrary = perverse.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 PERVERSE mean?
PERVERSE adjective- Turned aside; hence, specifically, turned away from the (morally) right; willfully erring; wicked; perverted.
- Obstinately in the wrong; stubborn; intractable; hence, wayward; vexing; contrary.
- (of a verdict) Ignoring the evidence or the judge's opinions.