Cryptic crossword clue
Pained grunt, boil causing distress 9

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word TROUBLING

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

The straight part
We know that "causing distress" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case causing distress = troubling.
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.

Crossword Answer definitions

TROUBLING verb
  1. To disturb, stir up, agitate (a medium, especially water).
  2. To mentally distress; to cause (someone) to be anxious or perplexed.
  3. In weaker sense: to bother or inconvenience.
  4. To take pains to do something.
  5. To worry; to be anxious.
TROUBLING noun
  1. The infliction of trouble or distress.
TROUBLING adjective
  1. Distressing, worrying

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