Authorised to reduce tempo, we’re decelerating (9)
I believe the answer is:
empowered
'authorised' is the definition.
(empowering is a kind of authorizing)
'reduce tempo we're decelerating' is the wordplay.
'reduce' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (I've seen 'reduced' mean this (reducing the letters in the clue shows the answer)).
'EMPOWERED' can be found hidden inside 'tempo were decelerating'.
'to' is the link.
(Another definition for empowered that I've seen is " Given authority".)
I've seen this clue in The Times.
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