The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word LEASTWISE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
L
E
A
S
T
W
I
S
E
More clues leading to the result LEASTWISE
- Of minimal intelligence — American, anyway
- However, American‘s the bluntest tool in the box?
- American, however, is extremely thick
- By implication, most stupid American anyway
- Most brainless, at any rate
- Certainly not the brightest,anyhow
- Anyhow, it’s most foolish?
- Not most knowledgeable, however
- Most ignorant, it’s implied — if nothing else
- If nothing else, most foolish?
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The straight part
We know that "at any rate" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case at any rate = leastwise.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 LEASTWISE mean?
LEASTWISE adverb- At least.
- Minimally.