Crossword Genius

Embarrassment of companion ends with a smile (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chagrin

'embarrassment' is the definition.
(chagrin is a kind of embarrassment)

'companion ends with a smile' is the wordplay.
'companion' becomes 'ch' (I've seen this in other clues).
'ends' says to put letters next to each other.
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'smile' becomes 'grin' (grinning is a kind of smiling).
'ch'+'a'+'grin'='CHAGRIN'

'of' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for chagrin that I've seen before include "Arching with annoyed disappointment" , "Strong feeling of embarrassment" , "Shame at one's failure" , "Annoy" , "Frustration at having failed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian and The Telegraph.
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