Crossword Genius

Cruel fluctuation in money (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lucre

'money' is the definition.
(I know that lucre is a type of money)

'cruel fluctuation' is the wordplay.
'fluctuation' indicates an anagram.
'cruel' is an anagram of 'LUCRE'.

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for lucre that I've seen before include "Cash" , "Possession of the rich" , "benefits from crime" , "Scornful word for money that may be 1 Across" , "monetary gain" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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