Crossword Genius

Recount appalling defeat (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

trounce

'defeat' is the definition.
(I know that trounce is a type of defeat)

'recount appalling' is the wordplay.
'appalling' indicates an anagram (an appalling spelling).
'recount' with letters rearranged gives 'TROUNCE'.

(Other definitions for trounce that I've seen before include "Beat roundly" , "Thoroughly defeat" , "Wipe the floor with" , "Hammer" , "Beat soundly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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