Crossword Genius

Sick wife lives with male Republican, a malevolent type (3-6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ill-wisher

'a malevolent type' is the definition.
(someone wishing someone else ill)

'sick wife lives with male republican' is the wordplay.
'sick' becomes 'ill' (similar in meaning).
'wife' becomes 'w'.
'lives' becomes 'is' ('be' can be a synonym of 'live').
'with male' becomes 'he' (he refers to a man. I am not sure about the 'with' bit.).
'republican' becomes 'r' (abbreviation).
'ill'+'w'+'is'+'he'+'r'='ILL-WISHER'

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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