Crossword Genius

Make it more bearable and fairer (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lighten

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'make' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

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

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lighten that I've seen before include "lift" , "Thin leg (anag.)" , "make fairer" , "Ease burden or reduce weight" , "cheer" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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