Crossword Genius

Padre's conversion treated leniently (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spared

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'treated leniently' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'padre's conversion' is the wordplay.
'conversion' is an anagram indicator.
'padres' anagrammed gives 'SPARED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spared that I've seen before include "Unharmed" , "Let off by padres" , "did without" , "Was merciful toward, refrained from harming" , "Refrained from hurting, was merciful towards" .)

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