Crossword Genius

Support country after revolution with reputational damage? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sustain

'support' is the definition.
(I know that support can be written as sustain)

'country after revolution with reputational damage?' is the wordplay.
'country' becomes 'US' (U.S. is an example).
'after revolution' is a reversal indicator.
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'reputational damage?' becomes 'stain' (stain of disgrace or shame).
'us' written backwards gives 'su'.
'su'+'stain'='SUSTAIN'

(Other definitions for sustain that I've seen before include "Continue, prolong" , "Endure" , "Nurture, uphold" , "Undergo" , "Strengthen, support" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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