Crossword Genius

Mark covering American bear (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sustain

'bear' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'mark covering american' is the wordplay.
'mark' becomes 'stain' ('stain' can be a synonym of 'mark'**).
'covering' indicates putting letters inside.
'american' becomes 'us'.
'stain' placed around 'us' is 'SUSTAIN'.

(Other definitions for sustain that I've seen before include "Keep alive" , "Strengthen physically" , "Endure" , "Maintain" , "Nurish" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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