The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word WRENCHING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
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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 WRENCHING mean?
WRENCHING verb- To violently move in a turn or writhe.
- To pull or twist violently.
- To turn aside or deflect.
- To slander.
- To tighten with or as if with a winch.
- To injure (a joint) by pulling or twisting.
- To distort from the original meaning.
- To thrust a weapon in a twisting motion.
- To disarm an opponent by whirling his or her blade away.
- To rack with pain.
- To deprive by means of a violent pull or twist.
- To use the tool known as a wrench.
- The act by which something is wrenched.