Crossword Genius

Inclined to excuse four implicated in fakery (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

forgiving

'inclined to excuse' is the definition.

'four implicated in fakery' is the wordplay.
'four' becomes 'iv' ('IV' can be a synonym of 'four').
'implicated in' is an insertion indicator.
'fakery' becomes 'forging'.
'iv' put into 'forging' is 'FORGIVING'.

(Other definitions for forgiving that I've seen before include "Giving pardon" , "Excusing" , "Ready to excuse" , "Pardoning" , "Lenient" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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