One criticised taking in old stray (8)
I believe the answer is:
isolated
'stray' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'one criticised taking in old' is the wordplay.
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'criticised' becomes 'slated' (I've seen this before).
'taking in' is an insertion indicator.
'old' becomes 'o' (abbreviation).
'slated' placed around 'o' is 'solated'.
'i'+'solated'='ISOLATED'
(Other definitions for isolated that I've seen before include "Separated from others" , "Segregated" , "(Left) on one's own" , "Placed apart from others" , "Idols ate (anag.)" .)