Returned with snack to malign absent person (8)
I believe the answer is:
backbite
'malign absent person' is the definition.
'backbite' can be an answer for 'malign' (thesaurus). I am not sure about the 'absent person' bit.
'returned with snack' is the wordplay.
'returned' becomes 'back' (I've seen this in other clues).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'snack' becomes 'bite' (synonyms).
'back'+'bite'='BACKBITE'
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for backbite that I've seen before include "Talk spitefully about absent person" , "Talk maliciously - from behind?" , "Say spiteful things about an absentee" , "in the same place when translated?" , "Speak unkindly about someone who is absent" .)