Crossword Genius

Puzzle could be more savage (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bewilder

'puzzle' is the definition.
(I know that puzzle can be written as bewilder)

'be more savage' is the wordplay.
'more savage' becomes 'wilder' ('wild' can be a synonym of 'savage').
'be'+'wilder'='BEWILDER'

'could' is the link.

(Other definitions for bewilder that I've seen before include "Confuse totally" , "Confuse utterly" , "Perplex the wild beer" , "fox" , "Wild beer tending to confuse" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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