The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word OUTLAWS
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
O
U
T
L
A
W
S
More clues leading to the result OUTLAWS
- Fugitives? The opposite to the spouse’s family, we hope!
- Student was tortured by known criminals
- Bans hoods?
- Hugging wife, survive endless embargoes
- Bans unfashionable boys in blue Sierra
- Bans expenses after wife’s accommodated for year
- Bans partner’s parents after divorce?
- Was lout letting loose criminals?
- Bans maybe Cornish singer going round entertaining university
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "criminals" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case criminals = outlaws.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 OUTLAWS mean?
OUTLAWS noun- A fugitive from the law.
- (history) A criminal who is excluded from normal legal rights; one who can be killed at will without legal penalty.
- A person who operates outside established norms.
- A wild horse.
- An in-law: a relative by marriage.
- One who would be an in-law except that the marriage-like relationship is unofficial.
- A prostitute who works alone, without a pimp.
- To declare illegal.
- To place a ban upon.
- To remove from legal jurisdiction or enforcement.
- To deprive of legal force.