The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word SLANDER
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
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More clues leading to the result SLANDER
- False report by Brit, maybe doffing cap
- Large tool shown around brings calumny
- Cuban, perhaps, doesn’t open false accusation
- Speak ill of topless Lesbian?
- Defamation put down in sermon? Not half
- Man’s man possibly overlooking current actionable comment
- It smooths over Labour leader’s false report
- Belittle success by German authority
- Person surrounded by sea, not the first to drag through the mud
- Dress rehearsal finishes with Queen delivering ‘Scandal‘
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "maybe" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case maybe = slander.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 SLANDER mean?
SLANDER noun- A false or unsupported, malicious statement (spoken, not written), especially one which is injurious to a person's reputation; the making of such a statement.
- To utter a slanderous statement about; baselessly speak ill of.