Crossword Genius

Painter appears to swindle firm (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

constable

'painter' is the definition.
(I know that Constable is a painter)

'to swindle firm' is the wordplay.
'to swindle' becomes 'con' ('con' can be a synonym of 'swindle').
'firm' becomes 'stable' (similar in meaning).
'con'+'stable'='CONSTABLE'

'appears' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for constable that I've seen before include "Bobby" , "Did he have a brush" , "He painted" , "the governor of a royal castle" , "Force member" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app