They cause a diversion if sent out (6)
I believe the answer is:
feints
'they cause a diversion' is the definition.
The definition suggests an adverb but the answer is not.
'if sent out' is the wordplay.
'out' is an anagram indicator (out can mean wrong or inaccurate).
'if'+'sent'='ifsent'
'ifsent' with letters rearranged gives 'FEINTS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for feints that I've seen before include "Makes movement to divert attention as in fencing" , "Deceptive or pretended blows" , "Movements made to divert attention" , "Makes slight attack to divert attention as in fencing" , "Makes movement to divert attention, as fencer does" .)