Crossword Genius

Drugs in small on-line trysts? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sedates

'drugs' is the definition.
(drugs with a sedative)

'small on-line trysts?' is the wordplay.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'on-line' becomes 'e' (abbreviation for electronic, e.g. in ecommerce).
'trysts?' becomes 'dates' (tryst is a kind of date).
's'+'e'+'dates'='SEDATES'

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for sedates that I've seen before include "Treats with soothing or sleeping drugs" , "keeps quiet" , "Anaesthetises" , "Calms" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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