Crossword Genius

Strange fiction in article (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alien

'strange' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'fiction in article' is the wordplay.
'fiction' becomes 'lie' (fiction can mean a lie or fabrication).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'article' becomes 'an' (English indefinite article).
'lie' put inside 'an' is 'ALIEN'.

(Other definitions for alien that I've seen before include "Foreign, strange" , "movie!" , "coming from overseas" , "Little green man, perhaps" , "Stranger" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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