Criticise girl said to be dejected (8)
I believe the answer is:
dismayed
'dejected' is the definition.
('dismay' can be a synonym of 'deject')
'criticise girl said' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'criticise' could be 'dis' (speak disrespectfully) and 'dis' is located in the answer.
'girl' could be 'maye' and 'maye' is found in the answer.
A single letter 'd' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).
'to be' is the link.
(Other definitions for dismayed that I've seen before include "Cast down" , "Alarmed, discouraged" , "Dispirited" , "Demoralised" , "Downhearted" .)