Crossword Genius

More nasty fellows surrounding a queen (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

meaner

'more nasty' is the definition.
('mean' can be similar in meaning to 'nasty')

'fellows surrounding a queen' is the wordplay.
'fellows' becomes 'men' (I've seen this before).
'surrounding' is an insertion indicator.
'queen' becomes 'er' (abbreviation for Elizabeth Regina).
'men' placed around 'a' is 'mean'.
'mean'+'er'='MEANER'

(Other definitions for meaner that I've seen before include "Rename (anag.)" , "More stingy or parsimonious" , "Less generous" , "More miserly" , "Rename as being stingier" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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