Crossword Genius

Finished in a group, so left alone (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abandoned

'left alone' is the definition.
(to abandon someone is to leave them on their own)

'finished in a group' is the wordplay.
'finished' becomes 'done' (similar in meaning).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'group' becomes 'band' (band can mean a group of people).
'a'+'band'='aband'
'done' placed into 'aband' is 'ABANDONED'.

'so' is the link.

(Other definitions for abandoned that I've seen before include "Profligate - gave up - left" , "Given up?" , "Derelict, deserted" , "marooned" , "Gave up - left - being completely irresponsible" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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