Cries with beginner in retreats (5)

I believe the answer is:

mewls

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'cries' is the definition.
(mewling is a kind of crying)

'beginner in retreats' is the wordplay.
'beginner' becomes 'L' (as in a learner driver with L-plates on their car).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'retreats' becomes 'mews' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'l' placed inside 'mews' is 'MEWLS'.

'with' is the link.

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I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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