Lead putting energy into public relations? Give up! (7)
I believe the answer is:
precede
'lead' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'energy into public relations? give up' is the wordplay.
'energy' becomes 'e' (physics symbol as in E=mce).
'into' indicates putting letters inside.
'public relations?' becomes 'PR' (abbreviation).
'give up' becomes 'cede' (synonyms).
'pr'+'cede'='prcede'
'e' put into 'prcede' is 'PRECEDE'.
'putting' is the link.
(Other definitions for precede that I've seen before include "Pave the way" , "Lead the way" , "be in the van" , "Go before in time or order" , "Come/go before" .)