The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word ALAS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
L
A
S
More clues leading to the result ALAS
- Sadly Liberal brought into sober group ultimately drinks
- A girl falling short unfortunately
- There's no time for Morocco's mountains, unfortunately
- Regrettably, a girl is cut short
- Healthy food rejected for the most part, unfortunately
- Io! Diverse group rolled up wanting date
- Assumed name lacks heart, unfortunately
- Worse luck after the end of this
- A city boss’s conclusion, sad to say
- Proposal Athens rejected in part, sad to say
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Worse" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case worse = alas.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 ALAS mean?
ALAS interjection- Used to express sorrow, regret, compassion or grief.
- A type of depression which occurs in Yakutia, formed by the subsidence of permafrost.