Crossword Genius

Hooligan was left out (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lout

'hooligan' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'left out' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'l'+'out'='LOUT'

'was' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for lout that I've seen before include "Yob" , "A coarse ignorant fellow" , "Boor, oaf" , "Ill-mannered or aggressive man" , "Lob" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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