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It's hard to reverse, perhaps, without starting! (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

severe

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'it's hard to' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for severe that I've seen before include "Harsh, rigorous" , "Serious or strict" , "'Strict, harsh (6)'" , "Harsh and stringent" , "Acute" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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