Crossword Genius

Offensive, like sailor embracing superior (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

assault

'offensive' is the definition.
('assault' can be similar in meaning to 'offensive')

'like sailor embracing superior' is the wordplay.
'like' becomes 'as'.
'sailor' becomes 'salt' (salt is a kind of sailor**).
'embracing' is an insertion indicator.
'superior' becomes 'u' (I've seen this in other clues).
'salt' placed around 'u' is 'sault'.
'as'+'sault'='ASSAULT'

(Other definitions for assault that I've seen before include "Launch an attack on" , "set about" , "offensive" , "Lash" , "Onslaught" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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