Crossword Genius

Inner Mongolia was hardly flooded (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

awash

'flooded' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'inner mongolia was hardly' is the wordplay.
'inner' indicates a hidden word (I've seen 'in' mean this).
'AWASH' is hidden within 'mongolia was hardly'.

(Other definitions for awash that I've seen before include "Swimming" , "Flood" , "becomes flooded" , "Doused in water" , "Drenched" .)

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