Crossword Genius

Bid to imprison complete delinquent (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

offender

'delinquent' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'bid to imprison complete' is the wordplay.
'bid' becomes 'offer' ('offer' can be a synonym of 'bid').
'to imprison' indicates putting letters inside.
'complete' becomes 'end' (I've seen this before).
'offer' going around 'end' is 'OFFENDER'.

(Other definitions for offender that I've seen before include "causing resentment?" , "Delinquent" , "Law breaker" , "Criminal" , "Committer of illegal act" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian and The Times.
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