Punditry, once smart, is primarily excruciating (9)

I believe the answer is:

expertise

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'punditry' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'once smart is primarily excruciating' is the wordplay.
'once' becomes 'ex' (prefix meaning former or onetime).
'smart' becomes 'pert' (I've seen this in another clue).
'primarily' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'excruciating' is 'e'.
'ex'+'pert'+'is'+'e'='EXPERTISE'

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(Other definitions for expertise that I've seen before include "professionalism" , "Mastery, proficiency" , "Thorough knowledge" , "Skill or knowledge in a particular field" , "Technical skill" .)

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