The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word PURGATORY
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
P
U
R
G
A
T
O
R
Y
More clues leading to the result PURGATORY
- Suffering when a conservative follows heartless, reactionary group
- Arty group writhing in torment
- Suffering guy unhappy with “remarkable” parrot
- Ordeal of a Conservative supporting band set up without love
- Arty group writhing in intense discomfort
- Heartless clique upset a politician producing intense discomfort
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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 PURGATORY mean?
PURGATORY noun- Alternative letter-case form of Purgatory
- Any situation where suffering is endured, particularly as part of a process of redemption.
- Tending to cleanse; expiatory.