| BACKLASH | Adverse reaction as composer jabbed by virologist from below (8) |
| PUBLICBACKLASH | Widespread adverse reaction, as to a new policy |
| PARODIED | Took off like a magpie jabbed by a stick |
| FELTPAIN | Was jabbed by a pin left lying carelessly about? (4,4) |
| TELEMANN | TV personality acquiring name as composer (8) |
| GIVESEAR | Listens, as composer gets into harness (5,3) |
| HOTTAKES | Quick, provocative reactions, as to current news |
| REASSERT | Confirm backslide after idiot has replaced leading virologist (8) |
| RIPOSTED | Jabbed back |
| SLINGSANDARROWS | Adverse reactions as in-law darns gross pants (6,3,6) |
| LADYBUG | Boy and man recoiling, jabbed by black insect (7) |
| DOPING | Administering drug, animal jabbed by something sharp |
| OUTRAGE | Appalled reaction as king overwhelmed by loss of power |
| ARNOLD | Composer's short and wrinkly, as composer (6) |
| ELGAR | Tantrum, looking back, depressed second clarinettist as well as composer |
| ENZYME | Complex protein produced by living cells that acts as a catalyst in biochemical reactions, as in digestive systems (6) |
| TENDON | Party to knee-jerk reaction as trawl turns up Mafia leader (6) |
| PIQUE | Slight reaction as card game is incomplete |
| ALLERGIST | One noting the reaction as girl's tale unravels |
| ALLERGY | Funny reaction, as gods start moving in right direction (7) |
