Crossword Genius

Spoil the sound of an instrument (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

loot

'spoil' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'sound of an instrument' is the wordplay.
'sound of' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'an instrument' becomes 'lute' (lute is a kind of instrument).
'lute' sounds like 'LOOT'.

'the' is the link.

(Other definitions for loot that I've seen before include "Burglar's takings - pillage" , "Steal goods as spoils" , "Stolen property" , "Stolen goods" , "familiar officer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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