The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word GAINSAID
I've seen this crossword clue in The Sunday Telegraph
G
A
I
N
S
A
I
D
More clues leading to the result GAINSAID
- Disputed election successes given support
- Increases subsidy? That’s denied!
- Denied assistance to raise profits
- Profit declared – but disputed
- Took exception to profits and material help
- Denied relief in the pursuit of profits
- Help going after profits that’s formally denied
- Receives help that’s denied
- Denied support with up-front profits
- Challenged Government while accepting popular funding
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "formally denied" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case formally denied = gainsaid.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 GAINSAID mean?
GAINSAID verb- To say something in contradiction to.