Cryptic crossword clue
Male involved in intense defamatory action 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word SMEARING

I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "defamatory action" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case defamatory action = smearing.
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 SMEARING mean?

SMEARING verb
  1. To spread (a substance, especially one that colours or is dirty) across a surface by rubbing.
  2. To have a substance smeared on (a surface).
  3. To damage someone's reputation by slandering, misrepresenting, or otherwise making false accusations about an individual, their statements, or their actions.
  4. To become spread by smearing.
  5. To climb without using footholds, using the friction from the shoe to stay on the wall.
SMEARING noun
  1. Something smeared or daubed.

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