Crossword Genius

Prisoner experienced defeat (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

confound

'defeat' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'prisoner experienced' is the wordplay.
'prisoner' becomes 'con' (abbreviation for 'convict').
'experienced' becomes 'found' (finding is a kind of experiencing).
'con'+'found'='CONFOUND'

(Other definitions for confound that I've seen before include "Puzzle" , "Perplex" , "Bewilder" , "Surprise; defeat (plan)" , "Astonish and confuse" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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