The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word POIGNANT
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
P
O
I
G
N
A
N
T
More clues leading to the result POIGNANT
- Distressing detail about poor nag
- Sharp fielder catching good new Australian
- Petty Officer, clueless, heartless and pitiable
- Nag, pinto, prepared for moving
- Paignton obliterated, arousing emotion
- Emotional having drunk gin on tap
- ‘No Taping’ order is pathetic
- Emotional about Paignton
- Long to embrace, almost going crazy touching
- Moving passionately initially in tango dancing
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Distressing" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case distressing = poignant.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 POIGNANT mean?
POIGNANT adjective- Of a weapon, etc.: sharp-pointed; keen.
- Neat; eloquent; applicable; relevant.
- Evoking strong mental sensation, to the point of distress; emotionally moving.
- Of a smell or taste: piquant, pungent.
- Of a look, or of words: incisive; penetrating; piercing.
- Inducing sharp physical pain.