Crossword Genius

Dismal church members missing? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

charmless

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

'missing?' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'dismal church members' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'church' could be 'ch' (common abbreviation) and 'ch' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'armless' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for charmless that I've seen before include "not winning" , "Without attractive features" , "Unattractive" , "Lacking any appeal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times.
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