Crossword Genius

Confound leaders of notorious offenders nearby? A positive sign (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nonplus

'confound' is the definition.
('nonplus' can be a synonym of 'confound')

'leaders of notorious offenders nearby? a positive sign' is the wordplay.
'leaders of' suggests taking the first letters.
'a positive sign' becomes 'plus' (I've seen this before**).
The first letters of 'notorious offenders nearby' is 'non'.
'non'+'plus'='NONPLUS'

(Other definitions for nonplus that I've seen before include "Flummox" , "Disconcert, confound" , "Get flummoxed" , "Put at a loss; confuse" , "Perplex completely with negative and positive" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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