Newspaper boss backed intended contempt (8)
I believe the answer is:
defiance
'contempt' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'newspaper boss backed intended' is the wordplay.
'newspaper boss' becomes 'ed' (I've seen this in other clues).
'backed' is a reversal indicator.
'intended' becomes 'fiance' (I've seen this before).
'ed' backwards is 'de'.
'de'+'fiance'='DEFIANCE'
(Other definitions for defiance that I've seen before include "Aggressiveness" , "Challenging behaviour" , "Insubordination" , "Refusal to obey" , "show of rebellion" .)