Crossword Genius

Group of states in defeat or in disarray (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

federation

'group of states' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'defeat or in disarray' is the wordplay.
'disarray' indicates an anagram.
'defeat'+'or'+'in'='defeatorin'
'defeatorin' is an anagram of 'FEDERATION'.

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for federation that I've seen before include "Alliance" , "Group of states" , "Russia, for one" , "Union of states" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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