Crossword Genius

Primitive scourge is polished (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

urbane

'is polished' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'primitive scourge' is the wordplay.
'primitive' becomes 'ur'.
'scourge' becomes 'bane' (synonyms).
'ur'+'bane'='URBANE'

(Other definitions for urbane that I've seen before include "Sophisticated and elegant - sounds citified" , "Unbare, being suave." , "Suave and sophisticated" , "Cosmopolitan" , "Polished -- sophisticated" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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