Crossword Genius

After a bad act I become silent (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

taciturn

'silent' is the definition.
(taciturn means not saying much)

'after a bad act i become' is the wordplay.
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'a bad' indicates an anagram.
'become' becomes 'turn' (synonyms).
'act' with letters rearranged gives 'tac'.
'tac' next to 'i' is 'taci'.
'taci'+'turn'='TACITURN'

(Other definitions for taciturn that I've seen before include "Disinclined towards conversation" , "Tight-lipped" , "Disinclined to speak" , "Far from talkative" , "Without saying much" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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