Crossword Genius

Maoist ruthlessly gathers support (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

strut

'support' is the definition.
(strut is a kind of support)

'maoist ruthlessly gathers' is the wordplay.
'gathers' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (I've seen 'gathering' mean this (parts of the clue hold or gather the answer)).
'STRUT' can be found hidden inside 'maoist ruthlessly'.

(Other definitions for strut that I've seen before include "Rigid support" , "Walk proudly like metal support" , "Stalk" , "Bar; walk stiffly" , "Walk proudly like peacock" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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