Cryptic crossword clue
Struggled to hold note: a chant ultimately spoiled 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word VITIATED

I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
V
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T
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A
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The straight part
We know that "spoiled" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case spoiled = vitiated.
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 VITIATED mean?

VITIATED verb
  1. To spoil, make faulty; to reduce the value, quality, or effectiveness of something
  2. To debase or morally corrupt
  3. To violate, to rape
  4. To make something ineffective, to invalidate

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