Crossword Genius

Comparatively cross when earring gets broken (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

angrier

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

'comparatively cross' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are comparative adjectives. Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'earring gets broken' is the wordplay.
'gets broken' indicates an anagram.
'earring' anagrammed gives 'ANGRIER'.

'when' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for angrier that I've seen before include "More furious" , "More worked up" , "Not so calm" , "More annoyed" , "More irate" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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