Crossword Genius

Hated duke, missing country, pissed off (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

despised

'hated' is the definition.
(to despise is to hate)

'duke missing country pissed off' is the wordplay.
'missing' suggests deleting specific letters.
'country' becomes 'UK' (United Kingdom).
'off' indicates anagramming the letters.
'duke' with 'uk' taken out is 'de'.
'pissed' is an anagram of 'spised'.
'de'+'spised'='DESPISED'

(Other definitions for despised that I've seen before include "Scorned" , "Detested" , "Looked down on" , "held in contempt" , "Had contempt or scorn for" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app