Crossword Genius

Contrite, urge left and right to adapt (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

regretful

'contrite' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'urge left and right to adapt' is the wordplay.
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'right' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'to adapt' is an anagram indicator (I've seen 'adapted' mean this).
'urge'+'left'+'r'='urgeleftr'
'urgeleftr' is an anagram of 'REGRETFUL'.

(Other definitions for regretful that I've seen before include "Feeling guilt over something" , "Miss Otis was" , "Feeling sorry, repentant" , "Wishing something hadn't happened" , "Feeling remorse" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app