Crossword Genius

Look favourably on military occupation of the southeast (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

smile

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'look' is the definition.
(I know that smile is a type of look)

'favourably on military occupation of the southeast' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'military' could be 'mil' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'mil' is located in the answer.
'southeast' could be 'se' (synonyms) and 'se' is present in the leftover letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for smile that I've seen before include "Appear amused" , "Facial expression showing pleasure" , "Visually express amusement" , "Pleased expression" , "Show amusement or pleasure" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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