Crossword Genius

Answer I start to provoke inside versatile store (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

riposte

'answer' is the definition.
(riposting is a kind of answering)

'i start to provoke inside versatile store' is the wordplay.
'start to' indicates taking the first letters.
'inside' is an insertion indicator.
'versatile' indicates an anagram.
The first letter of 'provoke' is 'p'.
'i'+'p'='ip'
'store' is an anagram of 'roste'.
'ip' going into 'roste' is 'RIPOSTE'.

(Other definitions for riposte that I've seen before include "Rejoin" , "Quick and witty reply" , "Witty comeback" , "Poster I alter for repartee" , "Quick sharp reply" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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