Crossword Genius

Wrongdoer renouncing evil without real worth (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

vain

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'without real worth' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'wrongdoer renouncing evil' is the wordplay.
'wrongdoer' becomes 'villain' (a villain does bad things).
'renouncing' is a deletion indicator.
'evil' becomes 'ill' (as in doing people ill).
'villain' with 'ill' removed is 'VAIN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for vain that I've seen before include "Conceited - or a waste of time" , "Swollen-headed" , "Having an exaggerated sense of self-importance" , "Conceited or pointless" , "Conceited - or hopeless" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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