Crossword Genius

On-line diatribe by grown-up debasing agent (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

adulterant

'debasing agent' is the definition.

'on-line diatribe by grown-up' is the wordplay.
'on-line' becomes 'e' (abbreviation for electronic, e.g. in ecommerce).
'diatribe' becomes 'rant' (I've seen this in other clues).
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'grown up' becomes 'adult' (I've seen this before).
'e'+'rant'='erant'
'erant' put after 'adult' is 'ADULTERANT'.

(Another definition for adulterant that I've seen is " Pollutant".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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