Crossword Genius

Yearn for change after smart deception (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chicanery

'deception' is the definition.
(chicanery is a kind of deception)

'yearn for change after smart' is the wordplay.
'for change' indicates an anagram (I've seen this in other clues).
'after' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'smart' becomes 'chic' ('chic' can be a synonym of 'smart').
'yearn' anagrammed gives 'anery'.
'anery' after 'chic' is 'CHICANERY'.

(Other definitions for chicanery that I've seen before include "deceptive" , "Use of deception for gain" , "legal tricks" , "dishonest practices" , "cheating" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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