Crossword Genius

Tear delicate fabric -- tear badly (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lacerate

'tear' is the definition.
(lacerating is a kind of tearing)

'delicate fabric tear badly' is the wordplay.
'delicate fabric' becomes 'lace' (I've seen this before).
'badly' is an anagram indicator.
'tear' is an anagram of 'rate'.
'lace'+'rate'='LACERATE'

(Other definitions for lacerate that I've seen before include "Harrow" , "Tear, wound, hurt" , "Clear tea (anag.)" , "Cut, leaving jagged edges" , "Tear, rip (flesh or skin)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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