Crossword Genius

Doubt, accordingly, around position with Academy (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hesitance

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

'accordingly around position with academy' is the wordplay.
'accordingly' becomes 'hence' (I've seen this in another clue).
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'position' becomes 'sit' (sitting is a kind of positioning).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'academy' becomes 'a' (abbreviation for academy).
'sit'+'a'='sita'
'hence' placed around 'sita' is 'HESITANCE'.

(Other definitions for hesitance that I've seen before include "Slowness to speak" , "Diffidence" , "Doubt" , "Wavering, delay" .)

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