The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 11 letter word REDOUBTABLE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
R
E
D
O
U
B
T
A
B
L
E
More clues leading to the result REDOUBTABLE
- Awe-inspiring soldiers, not to be completely trusted?
- Increase housing bill, inspiring fear
- Fearsome, but again open to distrust?
- Commanding respect, waves to Bluebeard
- Fearful, but again subject to uncertainty?
- Awe-inspiring fortification on island to the north
- Formidable trouble to Bluebeard
- Fearsome bat returns piercing echo
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "inspiring fear" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case inspiring fear = redoubtable.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 REDOUBTABLE mean?
REDOUBTABLE adjective- Eliciting respect or fear; imposing; awe-inspiring.
- Valiant.