Crossword Genius

Object of loathing and hate a man smashed (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

anathema

'object of loathing' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'hate a man smashed' is the wordplay.
'smashed' indicates an anagram.
'hate'+'a'+'man'='hateaman'
'hateaman' anagrammed gives 'ANATHEMA'.

'and' is the link.

(Other definitions for anathema that I've seen before include "Cursed thing" , "denunciation" , "Formal curse leading to excommunication" , "Bete noire" , "Condemned or excommunicated by church" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Telegraph.
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