Crossword Genius

Fake fuel - dreadful and deplorable (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shameful

'deplorable' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'fake fuel dreadful' is the wordplay.
'fake' becomes 'sham' (sham can mean fake or pretend).
'dreadful' indicates an anagram.
'fuel' is an anagram of 'eful'.
'sham'+'eful'='SHAMEFUL'

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for shameful that I've seen before include "Reprehensible" , "Embarrassing" , "scandalous!" , "Causing humiliation and distress" , "Dishonourable" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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