Crossword Genius

Tending to scare off star Liam (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alarmist

'tending to scare' is the definition.
(creating alarm)

'off star liam' is the wordplay.
'off' indicates anagramming the letters.
'star'+'liam'='starliam'
'starliam' with letters rearranged gives 'ALARMIST'.

(Other definitions for alarmist that I've seen before include "One who worries others needlessly" , "prophet of doom" , "Person exaggerating danger" , "Like panicking passenger" , "One who cries wolf" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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