Crossword Genius

Burn for a wicked deed on empty grave (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

singe

'burn' is the definition.
(singing is a kind of burning)

'a wicked deed on empty grave' is the wordplay.
'a wicked deed' becomes 'sin' (I've seen this before).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'empty' suggests removing the centre.
'grave' with its centre taken out is 'ge'.
'sin'+'ge'='SINGE'

'for' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for singe that I've seen before include "Earnest entreaty" , "Superficial burn" , "Burn slightly on surface" , "Char, burn slightly" , "Char, scorch" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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