Crossword Genius

Approved trick to bash bushranger (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

condoned

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'approved' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with communicating as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'trick to bash bushranger' is the wordplay.
'trick' becomes 'con' (a con is a fraud or trick).
'to bash' becomes 'do' (synonyms).
'bushranger' becomes 'ned' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'con'+'do'+'ned'='CONDONED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for condoned that I've seen before include "Sanctioned" , "Excused, overlooked" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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