Crossword Genius

Group punching glib country fan (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

patriot

'country fan' is the definition.
(a patriot is a lover or fan of their country)

'group punching glib' is the wordplay.
'group' becomes 'trio' (a group of three).
'punching' indicates putting letters inside (some letters punch a hole in others).
'glib' becomes 'pat' (synonyms).
'trio' going inside 'pat' is 'PATRIOT'.

(Other definitions for patriot that I've seen before include "Chauvinist" , "One with a strong love of country" , "A lover of fatherland" , "Loyalist" , "A trip to (anag.)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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