Crossword Genius

Callous crime ransacked bar (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

merciless

'callous' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'crime ransacked bar' is the wordplay.
'ransacked' indicates an anagram.
'bar' becomes 'less' (both can mean 'not including').
'crime' anagrammed gives 'merci'.
'merci'+'less'='MERCILESS'

(Other definitions for merciless that I've seen before include "Uncharitable" , "Showing no compassion" , "Ruthless" , "Cruel" , "Totally unforgiving" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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