Crossword Genius

Keeps dissolving in tears (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

retains

'keeps' is the definition.
('retain' can be a synonym of 'keep')

'dissolving in tears' is the wordplay.
'dissolving' indicates anagramming the letters.
'in'+'tears'='intears'
'intears' is an anagram of 'RETAINS'.

(Another definition for retains that I've seen is " Holds back, keeps".)

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app