Crossword Genius

Grows swans by river (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

deepens

'grows' is the definition.
(deepen can mean to grow or become more significant)

'swans by river' is the wordplay.
'swans' becomes 'pens' (pen can mean a female swan).
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'river' becomes 'dee' (River Dee).
'pens' put after 'dee' is 'DEEPENS'.

(Other definitions for deepens that I've seen before include "Intensifies" , "Dredges" , "gets stronger" , "increases" , "Make further down, say ditch" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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