Crossword Genius

Out loud, not many will be encouraging (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fuel

'be encouraging' is the definition.
(fuel can mean to encourage or stimulate)

'out loud not many will' is the wordplay.
'out loud' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'not many will' becomes 'few'll' (few will).
'fewll' sounds like 'FUEL'.

(Other definitions for fuel that I've seen before include "Material fed to flames" , "Power source; inflame" , "Substance to produce energy" , "Substance burned to source power" , "Eg, coal or oil" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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