Crossword Genius

Old chief spies pulled up (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

archaic

'old' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'chief spies pulled up' is the wordplay.
'chief' becomes 'arch' (synonyms).
'spies' becomes 'CIA' (Central Intelligence Agency).
'pulled up' is a reversal indicator.
'cia' back-to-front is 'aic'.
'arch'+'aic'='ARCHAIC'

(Other definitions for archaic that I've seen before include "Antiquated" , "Very old or old-fashioned" , "Obsolete" , "Of a much earlier period" , "Ancient, no longer current" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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