Crossword Genius

Choppy sea, for me, horrifying (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fearsome

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'horrifying' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'choppy sea for me' is the wordplay.
'choppy' indicates anagramming the letters (choppy implies disruption).
'sea'+'for'='seafor'
'seafor' is an anagram of 'fearso'.
'fearso'+'me'='FEARSOME'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fearsome that I've seen before include "Frightful" , "Of frightening appearance" , "Dreadful" , "Fame rose and became frightening" , "Awful" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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