Crossword Genius

Abusive, possibly rash after a hasty start (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

harsh

'abusive' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'possibly rash after a hasty start' is the wordplay.
'possibly' indicates anagramming the letters.
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'start' indicates taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'hasty' is 'h'.
'rash' anagrammed gives 'hars'.
'hars'+'h'='HARSH'

(Other definitions for harsh that I've seen before include "Strident" , "Grating; severe" , "Punitive" , "Jarring" , "Abrasive, rough or unkind" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app