The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word DISCREDIT
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
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More clues leading to the result DISCREDIT
- Give the lie to smear
- Tried playing record earlier? Rubbish!
- Reputational damage in party, mostly concerning Democrat appeal
- It is hidden under plate – bloody shame
- Keeping secrets, policeman covers up last note to ruin someone’s reputation
- Record supported by Republican correct? Shame
- Stain round object coloured it
- Shame! Say it’s wrong
- Cast doubt on record and run revision
- Shame something possibly slipped, blushing with it
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "to ruin someone’s reputation" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case to ruin someone’s reputation = discredit.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 DISCREDIT mean?
DISCREDIT noun- Discrediting or disbelieving.
- A person or thing that causes harm to a reputation, as of a person, family, or institution.
- The state of being discredited or disbelieved.
- A degree of dishonour or disesteem; ill repute; reproach.
- To harm the good reputation of a person; to cause an idea or piece of evidence to seem false or unreliable.