Figure the naughty truant is out to be uncommunicative (8)

I believe the answer is:

taciturn

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'be uncommunicative' is the definition.
(associated in meaning)

'figure the naughty truant is out' is the wordplay.
'figure' becomes 'ci' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'the naughty' indicates anagramming the letters.
'is out' is an insertion indicator.
'truant' with letters rearranged gives 'taturn'.
'ci' going inside 'taturn' is 'TACITURN'.

'to' is the link.

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(Other definitions for taciturn that I've seen before include "Talking little" , "Aloof" , "Disinclined towards conversation" , "Reserved, saying little" , "Uncommunicative, of few words" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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