Crossword Genius

Initially indignant, rather angry, then enraged (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

irate

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'enraged' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'initially indignant rather angry' is the wordplay.
'initially' says to take the initial letters.
'rather angry' becomes 'rate' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
The first letter of 'indignant' is 'i'.
'i'+'rate'='IRATE'

'then' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for irate that I've seen before include "Angry, enraged" , "Full of 22" , "will be up in arms" , "Angry and incensed" , "Cross, irritated" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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