Promises danger to thirty, wanting one Earl replaced by Australian (9)
I believe the answer is:
threatens
'promises' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'danger to thirty wanting one earl replaced by australian' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'danger' could be 'threat' (threat can mean a danger or risk) and 'threat' is located in the answer.
'earl' could be 'e' and 'e' is found within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for threatens that I've seen before include "Bullies" , "Utters intention to injure" , "Utters intention to harm" , "Uses verbal intimidation for purpose of 34 Across" , "Intimidates with intention to harm" .)