Crossword Genius

Colour above country (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

overstate

'colour' is the definition.
(colour can mean to overstate or distort)

'above country' is the wordplay.
'above' becomes 'over' (I've seen this before).
'country' becomes 'state' (synonyms).
'over'+'state'='OVERSTATE'

(Other definitions for overstate that I've seen before include "lay it on thick" , "Exaggerate, make too much of" , "Exaggerate, go beyond bounds of truth" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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