What does the cryptic crossword clue "Punishes my refusal about accepting sanctimonious creature (4,8)" mean?

The wordplay uses a reversal. WHIPS (synonym="punishes") + COR (synonym="my – one for Lord Jim!") + PI (synonym="sanctimonious") + ON (synonym="a reversal – about – of NO – refusal") = WHIPSCORPION The answer is WHIPSCORPION.

Punishes my refusal about accepting sanctimonious creature (4,8)

Guardian Cryptic #29251 | 11 Across | 2023-12-12 flower

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