The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word ACCREDIT
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
C
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More clues leading to the result ACCREDIT
- Approve current review newspaper boss accepted
- Sanction account, the thing’s getting in red
- Sanction law to maintain production of cider
- Certify switch varying direct and alternating current
- Bill by Conservative leader tried desperately to be attributing
- Attribute good character to a church leader
- Accept as true current bookkeeping entry
- Certificate shows African city contracted work as journalist
- Endorse alternating current — and direct, strangely
- Recognise there’s little time to lose before democratic reforms
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Sanction" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case sanction = accredit.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 ACCREDIT mean?
ACCREDIT verb- To ascribe; attribute; credit with.
- To put or bring into credit; to invest with credit or authority; to sanction.
- To send with letters credential, as an ambassador, envoy, or diplomatic agent; to authorize, as a messenger or delegate.
- To believe; to put trust in.
- To enter on the credit side of an account book.
- To certify as meeting a predetermined standard; to certify an educational institution as upholding the specified standards necessary for the students to advance.
- To recognize as outstanding.
- To credit.