Crossword Genius

Baby's malnourishment is somewhat shocking (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abysmal

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'shocking' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'baby's malnourishment is somewhat' is the wordplay.
'is somewhat' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'ABYSMAL' can be found hidden inside 'babys malnourishment'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for abysmal that I've seen before include "Appallingly bad" , "Extreme and deplorable, perhaps ignorance" , "Very deep or bad" , "Very bad or limitless" , "Very bad or bottomless" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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