Crossword Genius

Gloom somehow spread around Italy (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

despair

'gloom' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'somehow spread around italy' is the wordplay.
'somehow' indicates an anagram.
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'italy' becomes 'i'.
'spread' is an anagram of 'despar'.
'despar' going around 'i' is 'DESPAIR'.

(Other definitions for despair that I've seen before include "Complete loss of hope" , "Give up hope" , "displaying lack of optimism" , "An unhappy state" , "gloom" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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