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Gloomy study to have a depressing effect (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sadden

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'a depressing effect' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'gloomy study' is the wordplay.
'gloomy' becomes 'sad' (similar in meaning).
'study' becomes 'den' (den can mean an office or study).
'sad'+'den'='SADDEN'

'to have' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sadden that I've seen before include "Disappoint" , "Make dejected" , "Make melancholy, depress" , "Cause to feel unhappy" , "Dismay" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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