Crossword Genius

Squeeze former partner, tense by the sound of it (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

extort

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'squeeze' is the definition.
(I know that squeeze can be written as extort)

'former partner tense by the sound of it' is the wordplay.
'former partner' becomes 'ex' (an ex-partner).
'tense' becomes 't' (abbreviation used in many dictionaries).
'by the sound of it' becomes 'ort' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'ex'+'t'+'ort'='EXTORT'

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(Other definitions for extort that I've seen before include "Obtain (money etc) by force" , "Take from by force or threat" , "Get by intimidation" , "Taken from by force or threats" , "Force to fork out" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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