The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word WITHERING
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
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The straight part
We know that "Fading away/full of contempt" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case fading away/full of contempt = withering.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 WITHERING mean?
WITHERING verb- To shrivel, droop or dry up, especially from lack of water.
- To cause to shrivel or dry up.
- To lose vigour or power; to languish; to pass away.
- To become helpless due to emotion.
- To make helpless due to emotion.
- To go against, resist; oppose.
- The process by which something withers.
- Tending to destroy, devastate, overwhelm or cause complete destruction.
- Diminishing rapidly.
- Tending to make someone feel small; scornful in a mortifying way.