Pot hidden in this way after short search (7)
I believe the answer is:
commode
'pot' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'this way after short search' is the wordplay.
'this way' becomes 'mode' (synonyms).
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'short' means to remove the last letter.
'search' becomes 'comb' (combing is a kind of searching).
'comb' with its final letter removed is 'com'.
'mode' after 'com' is 'COMMODE'.
'hidden in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for commode that I've seen before include "Chair containing chamber pot" , "Keeper of a potty" , "Chest of drawers" .)