What does the cryptic crossword clue "Helping to support criminal belied careful thought (12)" mean?

The definition is "careful thought". The wordplay uses an anagram. DELIBE (synonym="DELIBE") + RATION (synonym="‘helping’") = DELIBERATION; definition: "careful thought" The answer is DELIBERATION.

Helping to support criminal belied careful thought (12)

Guardian Cryptic #29072 | 1 Down | 2023-05-17 flower

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