Cryptic crossword clue
Crucial as Poins is in effect loveless 10

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 10 letter word IMPERATIVE

I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Crucial" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case crucial = imperative.
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 IMPERATIVE mean?

IMPERATIVE noun
  1. (grammar) The grammatical mood expressing an order (see jussive). In English, the imperative form of a verb is the same as that of the bare infinitive.
  2. (grammar) A verb in imperative mood.
  3. An essential action, a must: something which is imperative.
IMPERATIVE adjective
  1. Essential; crucial; extremely important.
  2. (grammar) Of, or relating to the imperative mood.
  3. Having semantics that incorporates mutable variables.
  4. Expressing a command; authoritatively or absolutely directive.

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