Crossword Genius

If cruel, could be the devil! (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lucifer

'the devil' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'if cruel could be' is the wordplay.
'could be' indicates anagramming the letters.
'if'+'cruel'='ifcruel'
'ifcruel' is an anagram of 'LUCIFER'.

(Other definitions for lucifer that I've seen before include "Match - Satan" , "Devil - match!" , "Satan, the Devil" , "from the abyss?" , "Light" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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