Retaliates in craven gesture (7)

I believe the answer is:

avenges

'retaliates' is the definition.
('avenge' can be a synonym of 'retaliate')

'in craven gesture' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'AVENGES' is hidden in the letters of 'craven gesture'.

(Other definitions for avenges that I've seen before include "Takes satisifaction for a wrongdoing or injury" , "Makes reprisal" , "Gets back at" , "Carries out retribution" , "Retaliates for" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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