The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word HADES
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
H
A
D
E
S
More clues leading to the result HADES
- Such a destination includes Pluto
- Underworld offers comparative darkness, first to last
- Initially horror and despair engulf sufferers here
- Spirits initially not seen — they may be here
- Conned by European soprano? That can be hell!
- Took case of euphoriants in place of spirits
- Hell on earth, son? Heroin and losing heart!
- Ghost, first to last, in Hell
- Section broken off sunglasses? Hell!
- Hot destination was in possession of drugs
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Initially horror and despair engulf sufferers here" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case initially horror and despair engulf sufferers here = hades.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 HADES mean?
HADES noun- State; order, estate, rank, degree, or quality.
- A slope; the slope of a vein, fault or dike from the vertical; the complement of the dip.
- To slope or incline from the vertical.
- A headland; a strip of land at the side of a field upon which a plough may be turned.