The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word ANSWERING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
A
N
S
W
E
R
I
N
G
More clues leading to the result ANSWERING
- Dealing with dire warnings about Spain
- Respondent in case of abduction taking oath’s not adult
- Replying to a call containing bad news
- Reacting to a new wave the Queen’s introduced
- Replying to article on cursing, getting another article rejected
- Meeting some swans we ringed
- Responding to a phone call about disturbing news
- Responding to a phone call conveying bad news
- Saying no, for example, might require inner swag
- A set of directions, and an enclosure for responding
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Replying" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case replying = answering.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 ANSWERING mean?
ANSWERING verb- To make a reply or response to.
- To speak in defence against; to reply to in defence.
- To respond to a call by someone at a door or telephone, or other similar piece of equipment.
- To suit a need or purpose satisfactorily.
- To be accountable or responsible; to make amends.
- To file a document in response to a complaint.
- To correspond to; to be in harmony with; to be in agreement with.
- To be opposite, or to act in opposition.
- To be or act in conformity, or by way of accommodation, correspondence, relation, or proportion; to conform; to correspond; to suit; usually with to.
- To respond to satisfactorily; to meet successfully by way of explanation, argument, or justification; to refute.
- To be or act in compliance with, in fulfillment or satisfaction of, as an order, obligation, or demand.
- To render account to or for.
- To atone for; to be punished for.
- To be or act as an equivalent to, or as adequate or sufficient for; to serve for; to repay.
- The act of giving an answer.