The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word DESPERATE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
D
E
S
P
E
R
A
T
E
More clues leading to the result DESPERATE
- Hopeless judge is behind reclassification of speed
- . Wretched speed, wretched speed
- Drastic extra power for Queen in court
- Reckless speed, speed reckless!
- Hopeless repositioning tree with spade
- Wretched peers struggling to see on the periphery
- Dear Pete’s awfully full of hopelessness
- Incorrect speed estimate is reckless
- Pressing new peers in appointment
- Change of speed leads to speed which is reckless
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Drastic" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case drastic = desperate.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 DESPERATE mean?
DESPERATE noun- A person in desperate circumstances or who is at the point of desperation, such as a down-and-outer, addict, etc.
- In dire need of something.
- Being filled with, or in a state of despair; hopeless.
- Without regard to danger or safety; reckless; furious.
- Beyond hope; causing despair; extremely perilous; irretrievable.
- Extreme, in a bad sense; outrageous.
- Extremely intense.