Crossword Genius

God initially seems hateful in various areas (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shiva

'god' is the definition.
(Shiva is an example)

'initially seems hateful in various areas' is the wordplay.
'initially' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'seems hateful in various areas' is 'SHIVA'.

(Other definitions for shiva that I've seen before include "Major Hindu god with third eye in middle of forehead" , "Jewish period of mourning" , "powerful deity" , "Destroyer goddess of Hinduism" , "God presiding over personal destinies" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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