Crossword Genius

Argument rising — this writer's grovelling? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wormy

'grovelling?' is the definition.
('wormy' can be a synonym of 'grovelling')

'argument rising this writer's' is the wordplay.
'argument' becomes 'row' (to row is to argue).
'rising' is a reversal indicator (in a down clue, letters go up).
'this writer's' becomes 'my' (belonging to the person who set the crossword).
'row' backwards is 'wor'.
'wor'+'my'='WORMY'

(Another definition for wormy that I've seen is " grovelling".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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