Crossword Genius

Following rise of American left, judge is oppressive (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sultry

'oppressive' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'following rise of american left judge' is the wordplay.
'following' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'rise' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'of american' becomes 'us' (United States).
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'judge' becomes 'try' (as in trialling a defendant).
'us' back-to-front is 'su'.
'su' put next to 'l' is 'sul'.
'sul'+'try'='SULTRY'

'is' is the link.

(Other definitions for sultry that I've seen before include "Sweltering, close and oppressive" , "Close -- sensual" , "Such weather is hot and oppressive" , "Such weather is close and oppressive" , "Oppressively humid - sensual" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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