Crossword Genius

Pester chaps involved in civil wrong (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

torment

'pester' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'chaps involved in civil wrong' is the wordplay.
'chaps' becomes 'men' (chap means a man).
'involved in' indicates putting letters inside.
'civil wrong' becomes 'tort' (synonyms).
'men' inserted inside 'tort' is 'TORMENT'.

(Other definitions for torment that I've seen before include "Severe pain" , "Harry" , "Torture" , "Agony of mind" , "Hound" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app