Crossword Genius

Scared by loud abuse (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fearful

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'scared' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'loud abuse' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'loud' could be 'f' (short for forte - 'loud' in music) and 'f' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'earful' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'by' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fearful that I've seen before include "wary" , "Frightened, apprehensive" , "Apprehensive, worried" , "awful!" , "Scared" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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