Was weepy, in want of a father ultimately, like the prodigal son (8)

From Times Cryptic 29573, 16D —

16D — Was weepy, in want of a father ultimately, like the prodigal son (8)WASTEFUL

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'like the prodigal son' — The closing phrase describes the spendthrift son of the parable.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'in want of a father ultimately,'
  • Operation
    'in want of a father ultimately,' signals a deletion operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'weepy,'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'weepy,' → TEARFUL
  • Assembly
    WAS + (TEARFUL - AR > TEFUL) = WASTEFUL

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