Crossword Genius

Growl and answer back right and left (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

snarl

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

'answer back right and left' is the wordplay.
'answer' becomes 'ans' (abbreviation for answer).
'back' is a reversal indicator.
'right' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'ans' in reverse letter order is 'sna'.
'sna'+'r'+'l'='SNARL'

'and' is the link.

(Other definitions for snarl that I've seen before include "Say something aggressively" , "Entangle wool - show displeasure" , "Bare teeth and growl" , "A vicious angry growl" , "Growl viciously" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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