The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word SLEAZE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
S
L
E
A
Z
E
More clues leading to the result SLEAZE
- Sordid stuff left inside old collar
- Leader in society getting Ecstasy in lounge – scandalous stuff
- Squalor has reduced local pastureland
- Signs of corruption due to misplaced zeal in home counties
- Succeeded with lie about restricting European corruption
- Sun leaders in lurid excess always zealously expose such?
- Lazes around Spain fiddling?
- Dirt from end of shoe found in lounge by son
- Shady dealings ultimately inappropriate in sun lounge?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Signs of corruption" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case signs of corruption = sleaze.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 SLEAZE mean?
SLEAZE noun- Low moral standards.
- A person of low moral standards.
- A man who is sexually aggressive or forward with women to the point of causing disgust.
- Sleazy material
- To act or progress in a sleazy manner.
- To slander.